Boxing clubs get it together

Marlborough’s boxing fraternity came together on Saturday morning for some sparring, schooling and sharing.

Boxers and coaches from the region’s four clubs – Box On Boxing, Arapawa (based in Picton), Marlborough and Kaikoura gathered at the Box On Boxing headquarters in central Blenheim to allow fighters to hone their skills against members of fellow clubs.

Lee Tepuia, who started the Box On Boxing club, said the province’s clubs “had a good association going”.

“It is great to bring the clubs together,” he said, “we are all keen to show the rest of the country that there is plenty of talent in this area.”

Lee, who established the club out of his garage just over 12 months ago, has been staggered by the number of young people coming through the doors, many of whom have never boxed before.

“I am amazed by the support we have got. We now have about 120 members and have been in this gym [Get2It Fitness in Grove Rd] for a couple of months.

He said his focus was on “youth, male and female and anyone in between” and those suffering from mental health, bullying and lacking in confidence.

“Improving mental health is one of the main drivers.

“[Boxing] is not about violence, it is about building up confidence and self-belief - allowing [the boxers] to open up.”

Fourteen-year-old Rowin McManaway, who trains out of the Box on Bowing gym, says he relishes working on his fitness and the self-defence aspect of the sport.