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Islington Tribune - by SIMON WROE
Published: 11 July 2008

Paul Hammick, Bevis Allen, Jerry Mitchell and John Richards

You wanna fight? Step into the ring

A FEW rounds in the ring could stop angry youths becoming another statistic in London’s spiralling teenage violence figures, say boxing trainers at an Archway gym.
Speaking out after the stabbing of 16-year-old Ben Kinsella in Holloway last week, coaches at Islington Boys Club in Hazellville Road offered teenagers a way to vent their aggression – through the discipline and training of boxing.
Jerry Mitchell, a coach at the club for 24 years, said: “If you like to fight, the gyms are there for you to let your aggression out. We’re open to everybody.
“Here kids can vent their anger in a positive way. Kids will be fighting properly and not using weapons. We’ve had plenty of kids who come in here and think they’re tough but a few rounds in the ring give you a different perspective. It’s a way of challenging and providing discipline.”
Former light heavyweight ABA champion Courtney Fry emerged through the club’s ranks. He was sent there by his father because he was a troublemaker – and left a champion.
Head coach Paul Hammick added: “It’s like a family here. There’s a sense of belonging – there’s always someone looking after your best interests. The reward we get is to see them succeed.”

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