I’m very proud and feel privileged to deliver adaptive boxing. In 2020, I began coaching an amputee, Rob. He was a very accomplished cricket player when his life was turned upside down; he had to have a leg amputated. Rob, who wanted to challenge himself, asked if he could learn to box. He wanted to learn to box to a level of competency that would allow him to compete from a wheelchair. This training period was not only an incredible experience for him but for me as an established boxing coach. I learned and adapted my own coaching to help train and develop Rob to competition level.

Since then, I have been very privileged to have coached men and women who have been deaf, of poor sight, and also ladies and gents in nursing homes. In their later years, they have absolutely loved learning a much-adapted style of boxing.

In 2022, I had an incredible young lady named Roxanne come to me. She was and is suffering from a very rare eating disorder, which left her bed-bound and, due to not being able to consume food, losing weight, muscle, and size. Roxanne’s refusal to just accept this brought her to me in a search to get help and coaching for her strength and conditioning. This soon resulted in her asking me if I could coach her to box. Not just box, but also compete and dedicate herself to something she could be very proud of and that would be the ultimate challenge of body and mind.

Roxanne asked, "Can I make it happen?" I said, "YES, you can!"

This remarkable lady and our training has meant that she has been able to box competitively in Bournemouth, Brighton, and New York. This journey is far from over, but it’s fair to say that in this beautiful sport of boxing, there is a place for everyone. You just need to believe in yourself and have a coach that believes in you. I have and will always give my absolute all to help make those dreams come possible.

Adaptive boxing is a specialised form of boxing that has been tailored to accommodate individuals with a wide range of physical and cognitive abilities. It is designed to make the sport of boxing accessible to everyone, regardless of their age, gender, physical condition, or disability. This form of boxing is gaining popularity as it promotes inclusivity, fitness, and self-confidence among a diverse group of participants.

Adaptive boxing is not only about learning the sport but also about breaking down barriers and challenging preconceived notions about who can participate in boxing. It promotes diversity and inclusivity while fostering physical fitness, mental well-being, and self-confidence. Through adaptive boxing, individuals of all abilities can experience the many benefits of this challenging and empowering sport.