Eric in running for community award

ERIC NOI: award nomination

A FORMER boxer who is using the sport to help teenagers avoid crime has been nominated for a top award.

Eric Noi, from Oldham Boxing and Personal Development Centre in Derker, has been shortlisted for a BeMOBO award.

As well as boxing, the centre runs a range of personal development courses for children and adults — from substance rehabilitation and anger management to beat music and accreditation for door staff.

Mr Noi (43), from Middleton, was part of the 1992 Olympic squad and turned professional a year later.

He said that the sport helped to stop him following some of those he grew up with into crime and explained: “I started very young so it prevented me from going that way.”

Mr Noi worked for the Youth Justice Board for 10 years and is a former Middleton councillor.

He set up Youth in the City, part of Manchester’s In The city music festival founded by the late Tony Wilson.

The BeMOBO award is linked to the MOBO music awards and honours community work which makes a significant difference to people’s lives.