Camden New Journal - News: Hugh Laurie | St Pancras Boxing Club | Talacre

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Camden News - by DAN CARRIER
Published: 4 September 2008

Hugh Laurie

Actor Laurie’s on rocky road to boxing glory

TV star trains with Olympic prospects

THE Kentish Town boxing club used by award-winning actor Hugh Laurie could become the home of future Olympic champions if it can raise much-needed cash to stay open.
St Pancras Boxing Club in Talacre Gardens, a charity run by volunteers, hit the gossip columns unwittingly on Monday when Laurie, the star of American hospital series House, was spotted leaving the gym. It emerged he regularly trains there, his sons are both members and that Laurie is blossoming as a fighter under the club’s tutelage, according to those who spar with him.
One trainer, who did not want to be named, said: “He trains hard whenever he is in London. He is a light heavyweight and he is very, very strong, agile and serious. He does what the younger fighters do, no problem – and if he wasn’t so good at acting, he could get into boxing properly.”
The trainer revealed that Laurie often spars for eight rounds and would love to fight competitively – but his TV contracts won’t let him as producers worry about facial injuries.
But as well as providing a place for the actor to work out, the gym offers a vital facility for young people in the Kentish Town area. Regulars believe that if they could get more resources they could boost Britain’s medal tally in the London 2012 Games.
The club has already hosted champions Martin ‘Too Much’ Power, John McDermott and Danny Williams and is run purely by volunteers. Trainer Roy Callaghan told the New Journal that meeting rent payments on the council-owned gym was a struggle and they rely on donations, sponsorship and the goodwill of volunteers.
“With the Olympics in London coming up, we’d love to have a champion or two from here – we have a few prospects,” said Mr Callaghan. “But the lease is up in three years and each year we have to look at our costs. But we provide a vital service.
“Many young people come here when they have dropped out of school or have problems at home. We give them confidence and teach them self-discipline. It helps them go on and get jobs or apprenticeships.”
Mr Callaghan said the club needed further funding to help bring gold medals in 2012. He added: “We take our young boxers to shows around the UK and Europe. We have good boxers here and we’d like to amongst the medals at the Olympics in four years time.”

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