By James Bovington
‘Overwhelmed at all the generous support’ was Philip Wisher’s reaction to the success of The Ministry of Boxing’s first home show held at Project House on Armley Road.
The event was attended by about 400 fans. Boxers from their early teens upwards came from as far as Barnsley and Hull to compete in thirteen bouts and boxing competitors who train at The Ministry, set up in 2022 by Wisher and his son Joshua who is gym manager.
Josh Wisher said: “All boxing clubs stage home shows. These are the bedrock of the amateur sport.
“They give boxers the opportunity to demonstrate the skills and techniques they’ve spent hours learning and the bouts are themselves a learning curve.
“For younger boxers the emphasis isn’t so much on winning and losing as in developing confidence and enjoying the social side as friendships are made. However, getting a win is itself an important confidence-builder.”
15-year-old Lewis who attends Leeds West Academy was delighted at his third successive win with The Ministry. He said: “I’m proud to have won on the home show let everyone see how well I’ve been trained there. My ambition is eventually to box as a professional and I just want to get on as many shows as possible and hopefully keen winning.”
Those sentiments shared by Zak Day, 17, who recently gained a coaching certificate allowing him to train younger children. He said: “These bouts are about perfecting skills and gaining experience. Boxing shouldn’t be about hitting but avoiding being hit and this evening I concentrated on making it difficult for my opponent to get at me and on landing precise rear hand shots on the target area of head and body. How’s that for technique?
“I’m delighted now to have won five consecutive bouts and to have seen how far others from The Ministry have progressed towards their boxing goals.”
The programme included four ‘skills bouts’ in which younger, novice fighters can box to gain experience of being in the ring without the pressure of a win/lose decision.
Noah, 14, said: “My bout taught me to extend my shots more. That’s vital.” Isla, 13, added: “It was exciting getting the opportunity to put into practice what I’d learnt. Next time hopefully it will be a competitive bout with a win! I’ve trained at other gyms but feel completely at home at The Ministry. I’ve made lots of new friends this past year.”
Boxer Marcus Broadhead, 26, described the show as “well put together and hopefully history – making as the first of many memorable home shows. I didn’t get the win this time but still proud to have taken part. My fight was close. What the amateur sport is about. We’re all grateful to the sponsors and to everyone who bought a ticket and hopefully enjoyed their evening.”
A bucket collection for Leeds Mind – of which Josh Wisher is an ambassador – and two Leeds 12 charities raised £140. If interested in training at The Ministry of Boxing or in sponsoring the next home show provisionally scheduled for 4 April, please contact Josh Wisher (07717 202784) or Phil Wisher (07917 715016).
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