A BOXING club in the basement of the LAC Centre in Meerensee, founded by former SA boxing champion Freddy ‘Rafferty’ Horn, has opened opportunities for local fighters to do punch bag work, skipping, shadow boxing and ring workouts under close supervision of a professional coach.
But grooming promising young men and women to become boxing champions is not the prime motive.
Former boxer and narcotics expert Ryno Louw, who assists with training, says they specifically aim to keep the younger generation on their toes and out of trouble.
‘We have many teenagers out on the streets getting into drugs, alcohol abuse, clubbing, fighting and other criminal activities, which end up destroying their lives.
‘We hope that this will be a healthy outlet for children to keep them off the streets, while working on their fitness levels and learning new life skills.’
The monthly fee is nominal to keep it affordable for parents and youngsters from all communities.
Schoonhoven Enterprises provided the venue, while Neville Loosemore of Security Fencing and Alarms is responsible for protecting the ring and equipment.
But to offset the Zululand heat, especially in summer months, and funding, sponsorships and donations are desperately needed for air-conditioning, fans, water coolers and other running expenses.
.’We urgently need funding for the club to remain open and affordable,’ said Louw.
‘Any person from high school age can come along. We train Mondays to Thursdays from 5.30pm to 7pm.
Freddy can be contacted on 082 6631712 and Ryno on 079 8811143 for more information.
