Skint in Grimsby: How boxing gyms featured in show are helping to improve lives

IT'S the discipline, it's the routine, the skills, the ability to use your thought power rather than revert to your natural instincts – this is just some of what boxing can offer people.

The modern day sport is a world away from gladiators brutally duelling in a Roman Colosseum but many still view combat in the squared circle as nothing more than violent brawling with the intent to cause injury to an opponent.

As much as freak accidents can happen, sceptics fail to realise that there are codified rules in place to protect fighters as much as possible; for a start there are gloves, gumshields, groin guards and, in the amateur ranks, head guards.

As much as people may want to drag the sport of boxing through the dirt, two Grimsby gyms are clear in their philosophy of using training and competitions as a vehicle to improving people's lives.

Episode two of Skint, on Channel 4, featured both the Grimsby Martial Arts Academy (GMAA), in Freeman Street, and the Grimsby Boxing Academy (GBA), in Church Street – but did it portray boxing in its true light? They would both say – no.

Both gyms share a positive working relationship and take pride in not only helping boxers through the basic techniques of pad work, footwork and sparring but also give advice on nutrition while instilling values such as discipline and respect into their members.

An insider from one of the gyms said that they received a lot of negative flak following the airing of the episode on Monday as disgraced amateur boxer Heidi Degruchy was disqualified in a fight for using foul language towards the referee.

Heidi, although very talented and committed to her training, lost her concentration during the contest when she received an alleged elbow from her opponent.

Despite a clear warning from the official in the ring, she failed to control her temper and was ultimately sent home – pushing the referee on her way out.

She was sentenced to a stint in prison following a conviction for assault in relation to a separate incident and there are fears that she will never regain her licence to box.

Heidi's trainer, as shown on TV, was Mick Blythin from GMAA who spoke during the programme about needing to box within the rules on the sport and using your head rather than getting angry and leaving yourself open for punishment.

Mick, 44, who also trains pro boxing talent Kev Hooper, said: "Heidi had so many doors shut in her face and we were not going to do that, we never turn anyone away; she had anger problems, but while training she managed to channel all of that and she was a different person in the gym.

"She once said that walking into the gym was like walking into her home, where everyone had her back; if you had known her from before she started with us to where she got to, she had completely changed.

"She had more discipline in herself, she had a short fuse and this is a very emotional sport but we always want to help our members as much as we can. Even if they cannot afford to come, we'd rather they train with us than be out on the streets."

The club was not fazed by the TV production crews and Mick said that talking about his passion for boxing was "easy".

He added: "We just got on with it; we focused on our training and managed to switch off.

"One of the producers called us up before the episode went out and said he thought they had done a good job with it; they were all very courteous towards us, blanking out peoples' faces if their permission wasn't granted and we couldn't ask for a nicer crew."

In-house amateur boxing coach Wayne Patterson, 45, said: "The Amateur Boxing Association (ABA) is paramount about rules, they always see it as a sport and not a fight but in Heidi's case she took it personally.

"We care a lot about our boxers, them winning titles is like us winning titles; as much as we train them, we can be agony aunts and give advice.

"Skint showed that we tried to help Heidi but she had a mind of her own and was going to do what she wanted; at some point in her life those experiences will educate her when she reflects on them."

Mick added: "We told her the door is always open and we expect to see her back here one day.

"We don't let people run wild in the gym but we have a good time while we train and it's amazing how people can change for the better once they get fitter and more disciplined – similar maybe to a life in the forces."

Due to ABA technicalities, neither Mick nor Wayne were in Heidi's corner when she fought at The Beachcomber, in Cleethorpes, and instead she received instructions from GBA coach Danny Hall.

The 29-year-old, who knew Heidi from before, labelled her particular incident as "isolated".

He said: "I want to say to people who have never watched amateur fights before that what they saw on Skint is an isolated event and we hope it will be the last of its kind.

"We had no problem with them filming; Heidi was working hard towards a better life for herself.

"Her behaviour after being disqualified was unacceptable; we aim to improve the behaviour of anyone who comes to our gym, they have to be willing to represent the gym while they train and outside the gym as well."

Both gyms are located in the East Marsh of Grimsby and Danny says he is used to seeing "challenging" or "difficult" people lace up a pair of gloves but that there is always a marked transformation.

He added: "It's a sport for everyone, young or old; keeps you active, gives people something to do instead of heading to the pubs three or four times a week.

"It gives members a routine, something to work towards and you gradually see them become more disciplined and committed to changing their diet, behaviour and their life."

One Grimsby man who lives the life of a committed athlete is 30-year-old pro Kevin Hooper.

The boxer, who has 16 professional wins on his record, said: "The sport gives you discipline, if you want to do well you have to live the sport; you have to train right, eat well and listen to all the instructions you're given in the gym.

"It has given me something to strive for and made me a better person."

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