Retired champ inspires Niger street kids

From the ringside, Niger’s former heavyweight boxing champion Abdoul Aziz Ousseini, aka ‘Aziz’, gives guidance to his young trainees at the boxing club in the capital Niamey.

Some 10 youths drawn from the city streets pull on their gloves and warm up. Almost 50 years old and impressively weighing in at more than 100 kilos (220lbs), the ten-time heavyweight champion of Niger has turned to coaching future talent and giving purpose to disadvantaged youngsters.

“These are children who are neglected and who were using drugs from left to right, so on Saturdays and Sundays, I sacrifice my time for them,” says Aziz, who wears a tracksuit in the national colours.