Having been a volunteer boxing coach for 40 years, Stuart Gill has trained multiple national champions, but says he does it to "keep kids off the street".
Stuart Gill has been a coach for the Golden Ring Boxing Club in Millbrook since it was founded in 1985.
The amateur boxing club has seen domestic and even international success in that time.
He said: "The reason I do it so to keep the kids off the street and make sure they are treated properly and make sure they are taken care of.
"It is a great sport, and the kids that are doing it, we have a great bunch down at the gym, all working hard.
"I love it. I would not be doing it for 40 years if I didn't enjoy it."
READ MORE: Southampton boxing club Golden Ring celebrates international success
Stuart, 62, has an impressive amateur record in his own right. He started boxing in 1974 in Essex with the Hornchurch and Elm Park boxing club before moving to Totton in 1975.
He had 68 bouts with the Southampton Amateur Boxing club before joining the Royal Navy, where he continued boxing, winning the Combined Services under-19 contest twice.
His amateur record is an impressive 100 wins in 120 bouts, though shortly after leaving the Navy, he put down his gloves to pick up the training mittens.
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However, his coaching has also become a real source of pride for the University of Southampton technician.
He said: "Even last week, one of our boxers, who has a lot of losses, had a win. It has really cheered me up.
"Our first England youth champion was in 1999, James Richardson, and we have had about 70 national champions now.
"I don't train professionals, but three of our ex-boxers have gone on to be British champions
"When I get a lad or lass that's come into the gym who has no confidence and is very in themselves and sheltered, and you get them boxing, and they get boxing well, and they do themselves so proud, and they grow in confidence."
READ MORE: Boxing brothers remain unbeaten with wins against veteran opponents in Thailand
He proudly recounts helping his young students onto the right path, giving them a sense of purpose and a source of confidence.
Amongst those he has trained are Amber Moss Birch, the 2022 World Youth Champion, Commonwealth light-heavyweight champion Lewie Edmondson and many more.
The gym has around 40 registered boxers and sees about 200 students training.
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