Boxing arrives in Leatherhead

By djones bydaniel jones daniel.jones@essnmedia.co.uk

Boxing doesn't have a very big history in Mole Valley but if Mark Houlden has his way that is all about to change.

The 30-year-old builder has just set up Ultimate Fitness Boxing in Leatherhead, a club where all-comers are welcome to try their hand at the sport, get fit and possibly go on to compete in the ring.

Houlden was a competent amateur fighter and is a fully qualified Amateur Boxing Association coach. For many years he lived in Brighton and trained at Hove Amateur Boxing Club.

When he returned to live in his home town he discovered there was nowhere in the area where he could continue with his sport and decided to do something about it.

"There's just nothing for youngsters to do in Leatherhead," said Houlden, who set the club up at vacant premises above Leatherhead Theatre, but is in the process of looking for a new site.

"I've had guys come along in their late teens and early 20's and if it gets them off the street and out of trouble its got to be a good thing.

"Lots of people are talking about it in the town and the reaction has been good."

Houlden's initial goal was to set up an official ABA club. However, amateur club's cost plenty of money to run and generally rely on the help of volunteers to make them a success. After making enquiries to the local authorities he made little in-roads to gaining the sufficient funding for the project and decided to go in another direction.

"I want to make a living out of my passion for the sport so that's why we've decided to go down this route," said Houlden.

"I'm an ABA qualified coach and the long term plan is to make enough money from this commercial business to fund a amateur club in the town. Running an amateur club isn't an easy thing. It needs at least 10 people, and you don't make any money out of it.

"I think it would be good for the town. It would provide something for the youngsters to do, I'm just trying to do my bit."

Ultimate Fitness Boxing is tied into the White Collar Boxing Council. The set-up allows non-professional boxers to learn their trade, train and eventually fight in carefully paired matches.

Houlden believes white collar boxing has come a long way in recent years and provides a good alternative for those who want to box but haven't the time to take the sport up as either a qualified amateur or professional.

"It started with The Real Fight Club in London," said Houlden. "But there you had ex-professional boxers fighting guys who had never been in the ring before. It was a joke.

"The WCBC controls things in a much more professional environment. Fighters are put up against others of a similar level. It's a very broad spectrum, it allows more people to have a go."

And that is the message Houlden is trying to get across at Ultimate Fitness Boxing. He believes there are plenty of benefits that boxing can instil, especially in youngsters.

"Anyone can come along," he said. "The plan is to set up a separate junior section if we get enough interest. Boxing is a good sport and can teach discipline as well as being good for health and fitness."

Classes are run on Monday's and Wednesday's from 6.30pm to 8pm, it costs £5 for juniors and £8 for adults. Call Houlden on 07983285066 for details.