An ex-boxer and trainer who says he lost everything after the death of his two-and-half-year-old son has relaunched his boxing gym in Watford.
Ricky English, who has trained up five national champions at his former gym in Callowland, has celebrated the launch of his new site at Watford Business Park.
Ricky, who did a bit of training with Anthony Joshua when the world heavyweight champion was then in his early teens, suffered heartbreak when his son Frankie died from hand-foot-and-mouth disease.
It spelled a period of troubled times for Ricky who by his own admission lost everything. But the father of five, now 55, six years later has recovered and is back on track and ready to find Watford’s next boxing success.
Ricky English (left) pictured with former boxer Patrick Mullings (centre) and Saud Hafiz, one of Ricky's protege's, at the launch
Ricky has a rich boxing history in Watford, after he first came to the town 26 years ago. He took Callowland gym over from Bill Spencer. Callowland had not had a boxer for seven years and Ricky was tasked with getting the gym back on the map.
He’s been successful in training up Elliott Matthews, Stacy Dunn, Alan Edwards, Saud Hafiz, and Matt Legg, who have gone on to become national champions.
Ricky himself went pro for four years at the age of 35 before returning to being a trainer.
Ricky English
At Frankie’s gym, named after his son, Ricky has already got what could be Watford’s next Anthony Joshua lined up but has set his sights on making sure youngsters stay out of trouble.
He’s launched a campaign with the slogan ‘Drop your knives, drop your guns, and pick up a pair of boxing gloves. Boxing is the biggest gang you want to join’.
Following his launch, Ricky said: “We need champs in Watford. I believe in my ability, I’ve done it once and I can do it again. While grieving, I’ve been studying and learning more about boxing.
“I need to get the amateurs going. We’ve got our campaign, we’ll be out and about getting support and getting the message across. Kids learn more about respect when they are boxing.”
If you would like to get involved with the club, you can contact Ricky English on 07718304459
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