Not everybody wants to get into a ring and fight, but a whole tranche of people are looking at boxers’ sleek and toned physiques and wondering if a little of what they do might work for less determined folk. But then everyone loves a winner and wants a little of the stardust to rub off – just witness the Bradley Wiggins effect, with the entire country now seemingly on two wheels.
Until recently, boxing’s following was mostly men. For years there have been black-tie charity events where a mixture of celebrities, City high-flyers and hopefuls take to the ring to raise money alongside bruised pride. And a good time is had by all.
Now elements of the sport are being incorporated into fitness regimes across the land, for boxers train not just to increase their punch power but also to achieve a serious level of fitness for body and mind. For boxing is as much about control as it is about toned muscles and strength. A total boxing workout involves skipping ropes, burpees, split squats and a selection of floor exercises that help develop serious concentration alongside muscle endurance. Weight loss is often a side benefit, as is a relaxed attitude.
Even Prince Harry has spoken of the stress release he enjoyed once he took up boxing, which makes it an almost ideal fitness element for stressed corporates, depressed seniors and even yummy mummies who have taken to it. That’s why so many ‘regular’ gyms are offering boxing classes and training on their fitness menus – and also why boxing clubs are finding a resurgence in membership. For instance, the All Stars Boxing gym in west London, which was founded to take kids off the streets and has hosted fighters from Lennox Lewis to Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield, has classes for women and children.