IDRIS ELBA’S FIGHT SCHOOL
“Just because you get knocked down, doesn’t mean you’ve got to stay down,” says actor Idris Elba (star of detective series Luther). “Sometimes the greatest fight is with yourself.” He’s brought in life coaches, mentors and boxing coaches to help to teach eight young people that lesson, and to help them to turn their lives around.
“While filming in South Africa, I came across a boxing gym in a township. When you go into the township, you’re like, ‘Wow, this is how people live and how they survive, and the crime rate is high. (But) there was a boxing gym. These guys that set up a fight school lowered the crime rate. They got kids literally out of trouble. The trainers showed the value of giving these kids a place to train and stay away from crime. That was inspiring to see and it stuck with me,” he reveals.
The experience resonated deeply with Idris. “As a young man growing up in the inner city, life wasn’t always easy,” he recalls. “I was at a crossroads in my life and this community centre helped me find my way to who I am today. Looking back at my own experiences, I’m reminded of how powerful boxing can be on disadvantaged young people, giving them a sense of purpose. This was the inspiration behind Fight School.”
Binge Idris Elba’s Fight School season 1 from Thursday 16 June on BritBox.