Local Heroes: Boxing clever with troubled teens

Sep 30 2010 By Mark Cowan

FORMER heavyweight champion of the world Tim Witherspoon has helped launch the latest ‘Inner City Boxing’ club – a police initiative to help troubled teenagers.

Backed by ex-Super-Middleweight World Champion Richie Woodhall, ‘Inner City Boxing’ has been running successfully in Birmingham for over two years.

The scheme has been credited with helping youngsters get their lives back on track. Some have found jobs while others have gone back into education.

Now police in Sandwell have teamed up with Sandwell Council, with the support of the Laureus Sport For Good Foundation, to unveil the latest phase of the project.

A total of 17 teenagers from the borough will be put through an intensive training routine by Woodhall and his team in attempt to teach the boys some self discipline and help them get their lives back on track. They have been selected for this latest stage of the project after being referred by bobbies, Youth Services and schools.

Insp Akeel Najib launched ‘Inner City Boxing’ alongside Richie back in February 2008.

Since then, the pair have worked with over 50 youngsters and set up seven courses across the region.