Top coaches tempt women into boxing ring at Langwith ABC

Stacey Gorrill and Danielle Humphries achieved their qualification after spending four days, over two weekends, at Grimsby Boxing Academy.

They now run classes at the club every Wednesday, between 7 pm and 8 pm, that combine circuit training with boxing techniques. And they are happy to take women and girls from beginners to advanced stage.

“If you’re starting out, all you need are a pair of trainers and comfortable training clothes,” said Stacey. “The club provides boxing gloves until you get to the stage where you want to buy your own.” Danielle added: “The committee at the club have always supported us and our sessions. They have invested in our development as cocahes and in the gym equipment used.”

In addition to the ladies’ boxing and fitness classes, Stacey and Danielle help in coaching the club’s youngsters and attend the mixed boxing-for-fitness sessions every Tuesday and Thursday.

Meanwhile the Langwith club seems to have a star in the making in Ryan Hopkinson. For after becoming East Midlands junior champion in the 63kg-66kg weight division, he has now reached this weekend’s semi-finals of the National Youth Boxing Championships.

Ryan has beaten the Yorkshire regional champion in Leeds and the Midlands regional champion in Birmingham. His next stop is the Basildon Sporting Village in Essex this coming Saturday and Sunday when the semis and final will be held. The venue was used as a training centre for the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Coach Robert Camm said: “We are all buzzing for Ryan. He is a real credit to the club and a positive example to the young boxers we have.”

Ryan’s father is Richard Hopkinson, who is head coach at Langwith ABC. He said the club was arranging travel and accommodation for his son and coaching team to give him the best chance of success.