Boxing club leads fight against youth gangs and knife culture

Positive influence: All Stars gym in West Kilburn teaches young people discipline and respect, says director Isola Akay

A boxing club on the verge of closing six months ago is now set to be copied across the capital in an attempt to tackle teenage gangs and knife crime.

The All Stars gym in West Kilburn has helped develop a roll-call of British champions, including heavyweights Frank Bruno and Gary Mason.

Housed in a former church in Harrow Road, it faced closure because of rising rents last December, when founder Isola Akay appealed for support.

The 73-year-old, who set up the gym in 1974, said it had a crucial role to play in training future boxers and rehabilitating gang members.

Now it is to be used as the template for Boris Johnson's plans to build more boxing academies to curb youth violence following the killings of 16 teenagers in London this year.

Mr Johnson, who visited All Stars during his election campaign, has agreed to support Mr Akay's idea of a Mayor's Cup, an amateur boxing tournament.

Westminster council also wants to compulsorily purchase the gym and fund an extension for a community centre offering more sports and activities.

Mr Akay said: "Suddenly everybody is recognising the work we've being doing for over 30 years. It is not just about boxing, not all of the kids can be champions.

"These kids hanging around street corners, carrying knives, they're full of fear and feel insecure. They come from broken homes with no positive role models. At the club I speak to them individually. They know they can talk to me about any problems they have.

"Once they start training, they learn discipline and respect for their opponent. Once they have that confidence, they can go outside and they do not need to carry knives or get into fights to assert themselves. We give them a family they can belong to. They don't need the negative influence of the older gang members."

The Ghanian club director and head coach, who has banned smoking, swearing and fighting outside the ring, is known respectfully as "Mr A". Some former students coach at the club, while others have gone back to school or college and on to successful careers.

Mr Akay said: "The kids getting mixed up in gangs are getting younger but it is never too late to get them to change their ways. We've had boys here training with electronic tags on. Once we get them through the doors, we pride ourselves in not losing them.

"I've challenged all the kids who think they're tough to come to the gym and prove themselves. I'm confident we can produce Olympic champions for 2012."

Daniel Fernandes, 19, from Bayswater.

He was shoplifting and constantly getting arrested for fighting before he started training at All Stars. He said: "I used to lose my temper easily but now I can keep it under control. I'm much more disciplined. You can't be a good boxer unless you can control your emotions. Outside the gym I feel more calm and peaceful and I have more respect for people. I'm also going back to college now."

Arran Abrahams, 16, from Mitcham.

The teenager makes the journey from south London three times a week in an attempt to stay away from the gangs where he lives.
He said: "I always liked boxing when I saw it on TV but there aren't any gyms like this where I live. It makes a big difference having somewhere to come like this. You can talk to Mr A (Akay) one-on-one. If I didn't come here I'd be on the streets getting into trouble."


Silas Kituba, 18, from Ladbroke Grove.

He spent two months on remand for possession with intent to supply Class A drugs and was charged with assault for his involvement in a street fight between rival gangs.
Now tipped as a future light heavyweight medal contender, Silas has turned his life round in six months since starting training at All Stars.
He said: "I thought I knew what it takes to be tough, to be a fighter, but really I was just scared. Now I have confidence and discipline. I train at least three times a week. I don't drink or smoke. "Where I live, it is all gangs. If you hang around the streets you'll get into trouble. I don't hang around with those people any more. Coming to All Stars is being part of a collective. Now I can stay calm and I've started going to church."

Lesley Sackey, 26, from Dollis Hill.

She is one of only a handful of women at All Stars. A product manager for a music company, she began training at the gym two years ago to keep fit. Now she is the Amateur Boxing Association national welterweight women's champion. She said: "The guys here were a bit wary at first, but now they just treat me as one of the boys. I never thought I would take boxing this far. Outside of the ring, I'm a typical girl. I definitely think more gyms like All Stars would help keep kids out of trouble. There is a real feeling of being part of a family here."

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