Boxing and music is the perfect ‘one-two’

THE youngsters are pictured with Bing Findlater (left), of Positive Steps Oldham, Ashley Hall from Groundwork (top), DJ Barry Blades (second right) and Eric Noi, of Oldham Boxing (right)

BOXING and beat music has brought young people from different parts of Oldham together in harmony.

Teenagers from St Mary’s and Fitton Hill have completed a six-week Boxing and Beats project put together by the Oldham Boxing and Personal Development Centre and funded by Oldham Youth Offending Service.

In partnership with Groundwork, the youngsters have been working with St Mary’s Youth Inclusion Project (YIP) Fitton Hill YIP, the boxing centre and DJ Barry Blades to learn to express themselves through music and sport.

Ash Hall, YIP scheme leader for Groundwork, said: “Boxing and Beats has been an excellent success.

“Young people in the six weeks have learnt about the ethics behind the sport of boxing and the art of music.

“At the end of the project they walked away with certificates, medals and a CD which they mixed themselves.”

Weekly evening sessions have been run at Oldham Boxing to increase fitness, self discipline, sportsmanship and respect and the music has improved communication and team working skills and increased their knowledge of music equipment and production.

The project gave local youngsters something to do during winter evenings and ultimately to divert them from anti-social behaviour.

Eric Noi, from Oldham Boxing, added: “We’ve now decided to combine boxing with music for what will be the perfect one-two, to use an old boxing term.

“Music plays a massive part in boxing, not just for training but also as a motivational tool. Former world champion Floyd Mayweather even has his own record label.”