Boxing coach aims to fight knife crime with new Oldbury gym
A former boxing champion is aiming to fight knife crime by getting youths off the streets and training at his new gym.
Ryan Davies, aged 26, has launched Rhino’s Boxing Academy in Oldbury, which caters for all ages from young children up to adults.
It has been a long ambition of Ryan's to launch a gym and now he has turned that dream into a reality, running his gym alongside his wife Kayleigh, 25, who is also his business partner.
Ryan, a father-of-two, from Brandhall, said: "I want to help get kids on the straight and narrow. I never had any influences other than the gym and training and I have used it to get somewhere. It has helped me stay on the straight and narrow.
"I also think boxing is important because it helps get kids away from knife crime and gang culture and keeps them out of trouble."
Ryan began kickboxing aged just five-years-old and then took up boxing at 15.
Alongside coaching others to box, Ryan put his skills to the ultimate test by entering the ring as a professional fighter.
Boxing under Errol Johnson, he won seven out of eight professional fights and claimed the British Challenge Welterweight title.
Recently retired, Ryan has channelled his passion for boxing into his new gym, adding: "Boxing helps you stay healthy and have a healthy mind".
Six weeks ago Ryan and Kayleigh got the keys to the premises - at Bradfield House on Popes Lane - and began work on creating the gym.
They knocked down four walls to create one large open space and got the premises looking spick and span. Now with all the work complete, they are after new members.
For more information, call Kayleigh on 07919174413 or visit www.facebook.com/rhinosboxingacademy.
