BOOM TIME IN EAST LONDON
ELBA thriving after gym move, writes Daniel Herbert
A SHORT walk from the 2012 London Olympics site and its new blocks of flats is Leyton’s East London Boxing Academy.
“We’re the nearest boxing club to the Olympic site,” says Umer Ali, head coach (of six). “We don’t get boxers from the new flats but from the estate on the other side of road.”
Yet ELBA is thriving. Having moved into their premises two years ago with just three boxers, they now have 30 (six senior, the rest junior).
“Since January 2017 our boxers have had 105 bouts and won 65,” says Ali proudly. “In 2017 we had four shows and this year we have five planned, the next our May 10 dinner at the Prince Regent in Chigwell. That’s sponsored by the Breyer Foundation.”
There’s an eclectic mix at ELBA. Jack Daly is a 21-year-old cruiserweight (86 kgs) with five losses in 16 bouts. He won the London Developments in October before reaching the CYP Class D quarter-finals the following month. “I Iost a split decision to a 50-bout kid [eventual champion Nathan Levers],” reveals Jack, who started boxing at 18 and clearly loves it.
On ELBA’S most recent promotion (February 21) Daly looked unlucky to drop a decision to Manny Essex, suffering further bad luck in a rematch on the next month’s Danson show.
Says Daly, “I cut him with a right hand but the ref said it was caused by an accidental headbutt. It went to the cards and he got the decision.”
Clarifies Ali, “Jack didn’t enter the Elites because he’d had a hard season with two championships. He’ll be on our May 10 show and will be one of six in the Haringey Box Cup. Next year he’ll do the Intermediates and Elites.”
Daniel Ram, a National Development semi-finalist, is the only boxer left of the three ELBA had when they moved in.
“I was nothing but this place picked me up,” explains the grateful light-welter, who’s won seven of nine and avenged one of the losses.
Welter Harry Bembridge is a police officer who joins CID soon. Last summer he boxed in the World Police and Fire Games in Los Angeles.
Junior talents include Hasan Ali, 15 years old and 69 kilos, who whacks the pads with a satisfying thump, and a 16-year-old who is already 105 kilos. “He’s hard to match,” says Ali unsurprisingly. “But he spars seniors and gives them a hard time.”
One of the club’s two females is Aileen Cooney, who in February won the British Universities (BUCS) title at 57 kgs in the 0-5 bout novices category. How did she join ELBA? “I live nearby and Googled boxing clubs, found this place. I love it here,” says Cooney.
‘I WAS NOTHING BUT THIS PLACE PICKED ME UP’