TEEN BOXER BACK IN RING

BOXING: Two years after life-threatening injuries, RJ Draper prepares for National School Championship Finals

YOUNG boxer RJ Draper is planning a return to the ring this weekend, completing a remarkable recovery from a life-threatening injury.

RJ had made a promising start to his boxing career and became national schoolboy champion two years ago.

Selected to attend a training selection camp in Sheffield, he had his sights on competing for England in the European Championships.

However, when out running just three days before the camp, RJ, who was just 12 at the time, was hit by a van travelling at 50mph.

“He was left unconscious with two broken ankles and was taken into intensive care to undergo surgery,” said his father Roger Draper.

“A CT scan found a tumour that was thought to be cancer and he was admitted to the Royal Marsden Hospital before thankfully he was given the all clear from the cancer scare.”

Having been bedridden for two months, RJ had to learn to walk again before returning to boxing.

“He started to walk again but nobody thought that he’d be able to box again.

“The head coach at Pinewood Starr said to me that he’d never box again,” continued Roger.

“He was very overweight having been off his feet for so long in a wheelchair and had to lose three-and-ahalf stones once he got back in the gym.

RJ was given the nickname ‘Superman’ for his miraculous recovery while in hospital and his father has hailed his tremendous determination to return to boxing after what would have been a career ending injury for many.

“Boxing was the thing that got him through while he was in hospital, he was desperate to come back.

“It’s been an unbelievable comeback and it’s so remarkable that he is only 14 years old and has managed to overcome a life-threatening injury.

“He’s an absolute inspiration to everyone around him and is proof that you should never give up on your dreams and that anything is possible through hard work and dedication.

“After being visited in hospital by his clubmates, he’s inspired them to show them that they can achieve their dreams.”

RJ will compete this weekend in the National School Championship Finals at the K2 centre in Crawley as he seeks to land his second title.