Young people are being invited to a special community boxing event on Sunday which aims to help them ‘find structure and focus in their lives and keep them on the right side of the tracks.’

The event, the first of its kind, is being organised by Warwickshire Crimebeat and hosted by Clearys Boxing Gym in Leamington. It aims to inspire and empower young people by learning about the sport – as well as celebrate others with special awards.

The non-profit community gym is owned by Edwin Cleary, who trained with Jack Turpin – younger brother of local boxing legend Randolph Turpin - before himself turning professional. Turpin, who is recognised with a statue in Warwick’s Market Square, went down in British boxing history for his sensational World Title win against the legendary Sugar Ray Robinson and earning himself the nickname ‘The Leamington Licker.’

Clearys has produced some of Leamington’s and Great Britain’s finest fighters over the last 15 years, including Lewis Williams who won gold at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.

The day will feature a lively but controlled display of boxing training demonstrations for young people to watch and find out more about the sport, as well as the chance to meet local boxing champ Danny Quartermaine, fresh from defending his IBF European Featherweight Title the night before in Coventry.

Young people will also be presented with awards by Tim Cox, the Lord Lieutenant of Warwickshire, following nominations from local boxing clubs, including Clearys, Leamington Community Boxing Club, Boxing Clever in Nuneaton and Bulkington Boxing Club.

Tim Cox said: “This event is a great opportunity to meet some of the young people in our county and find out how we, as individuals and as a community, can help them to fulfil their potential.”

The gym welcomes up to 300 members since moving into its new £100k premises in Whitnash last September following a crowdfunding campaign. Facilities include three boxing rings (one championship size), a media suite - to record podcasts and do TV and radio interviews - a small conference room for career talks, homework space, lounge area, and showers and changing rooms.

Kurt Canavan, from Clearys, said: “There are lots of benefits of boxing. Everybody is equal here. It doesn’t matter who you are, what you are, what you do, where you’ve been, as soon as you step into the gym you’re all on a level playing field and that’s very important for mental health as well.

“There are obviously the physical health benefits too and it teaches self-discipline. That’s something we particularly work on with the younger boxers. You have to show the ability to learn, the ability to self-discipline, the ability to work hard and dedicate before you start moving through the ranks. Whether you can box or not at the start it’s not important. It’s about those mental attributes which stand you in good stead for life.”

Warwickshire Crimebeat aims to create safer communities and a better environment for everyone to live and work in by enabling and empowering young people aged 5 - 25 years to make a real difference and feel part of their communities. More information at: https://www.warwickshirecrimebeat.org.uk/

The boxing demonstrations are being supported by funding from the Warwickshire Police and Crime Commissioner.

The event takes place between 1-5pm on Sunday, alongside the annual Whitnash Picnic In The Park event.