Vulnerable teenagers ‘punch again’ as boxing fitness center give younger fighters an opportunity

A boxing gym is quietly transforming the lives of teenagers at risk, offering not just sport but sanctuary. LGBTQIA+ youth in the UK continue to face alarmingly high rates of bullying, mental health challenges, and educational disruption compared to their non-LGBTQIA+ peers.

Nearly half of LGBTQIA+ pupils, around 42-45%, report being bullied at school within the past year, a rate that is double that of heterosexual students, according to Stonewall UK. The situation is particularly severe for transgender youth, with 46% frequently hearing negative comments about their gender identity.

Trans youth are consequently five times more likely to be bullied daily than their cisgender classmates. However, when made inclusive, sport can act as a lifeline for these at risk youths.

“Real life activities like boxing that teach assertiveness, confidence, and help kids make friends helps reduce vulnerability,” James Handy, 33, a doctoral history researcher exclusively told the Daily Star. “If they have a support network with positive adult role models that really makes them less isolated.”

Jill Leflour, 28, an engineer, model, and trans man added: “Boxing won’t save you from being hate crimed because the people who hate crime others are cowards. When someone shouts a homophobic slur at you on the street it’s always in a group, from a car or an e-bike, or with a knife in their pocket.

“Bigots aren’t looking for a fair fight, they just want to make you feel small. We teach young people to stand tall and be confident in the face of adversity which they need to navigate a hostile world.”

“Queer kids have, on average, worse mental health than their peers”

Handy and Leflour volunteer as boxing coaches at Knockout Boxing in London, where they have recently launched youth training sessions for those aged 13 to 18. Knockout Boxing stands out as one of the very few recognised LGBTQIA+ focused boxing clubs in the UK, and is the only LGBTQIA+ club currently affiliated with England Boxing.

In fact, Knockout made history in 2023 as the first LGBTQ+ amateur boxing club to be officially registered with England Boxing in the organisation’s 145-year history. “Queer kids have, on average, worse mental health than their peers,” Leflour said.

“Not because they are queer, but because of the abuse they face for who they are. This is unfortunately also the case of the young people who come through our doors.”

He recalled: “The mum of one of our youngest boxers told me that before he started coming to our class, he’d stopped doing all of his favourite hobbies, barely left his room and didn’t want to go to school anymore. Now he’s here every Sunday and is one of the most dedicated people I’ve ever coached.”

Nevertheless, the coaches make it clear that they aren’t simply teaching kids to avoid being victims of hate crimes. Handy said: “You can’t always avoid being a victim of hate crime unless you go back into the closet or try to pass.

“But why should we? Boxing teaches tenacity and discipline which LGBTQIA+ people need in the current climate.”

“Our kids are tough inside and outside of the boxing gym”

Despite stereotypes of queer youth as “snowflakes”, LGBTQIA+ boxing coaches emphasise strength. “We don’t really use ‘old-school boxing grit’ as we try to be more approachable and lighthearted,” Handy said.

“Our kids are tough inside and outside of the boxing gym. Whatever level they start from we push them on their technique, fitness and attitude.”

Leflour added: “If anything, queer kids are tougher than their straight peers. They have to deal with unsupportive family members, friends and teachers on top of everything else teenagers have to deal with.

“Their resilience makes them better boxers.” He continued: “Most of the young people we train are transgender too, so it’s easy for me to put myself in their shoes.

“I know what it’s like to have to choose between quitting your sport or playing with the wrong gender. I know how awkward it feels to exercise when your body feels wrong.

“But I also know that, in the right setting, sports can be a massive source of euphoria. I have very fond memories of playing rugby with the boys’ team in secondary school, tackling boys twice my size and being treated like ‘one of the lads’.

Inclusion of trans athletes in sports often sparks heated debates

“This is what I try to bring to my coaching. I want every young person who walks through our doors to know that they belong.”

Inclusion of transgender athletes in sports often sparks divided and heated debates. But the coaches’ stance is clear.

“Most of the people who criticise trans athletes have never met or trained with one,” Leflour said. “When I train at a different gym people are shocked to learn that I am trans and it makes them rethink their prejudice.”

He further shared: “I have won against men by KO yet England Boxing still thinks it’s too dangerous for me to box in the men’s division. It’s ridiculous.”

Some of the teenagers training at Knockout have also shared their experiences; their identities have been kept confidential due to their age. “I just thought [a queer boxing club] would be a good place [to see] other people my age who are probably going through similar things,” a young boxer said.

“It’d be a very safe environment.” Another youth shared: “[A queer boxing club] felt a lot safer as a trans man to go into.

“I have a lot of boxing friends who aren’t queer. And they’re very supportive.

“But they have a lot of not really safe friends who do box as well. And that’s just what I’ve noticed in boxing spaces.”

A separate teen chimed in: “I think having a space where there are no questions asked, very judgment-free zone, all abilities, it really makes it feel a lot less daunting to get into a sport in the first place. And then, just being surrounded by other queer people, it does feel like you’re part of a community and there’s a lot of camaraderie, very nice.”

Handy concluded: “Everyone should be welcome to participate in combat sports. It’s amazing proving to a kid that with the right training they’re capable of more than they expected.

“I’m incredibly proud of our trans kids. They deserve a situation where sports bodies like England Boxing can create sensible ways to participate and compete rather than ridiculous blanket bans.”

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