Boxing kept Terry out of trouble

On Sunday Terry Freeman was presented with a trophy at Bexhill Amateur Athletic Club.

Trainer Mick Turner gave him an award for best all round boxer of the season and explained this was as much for his attitude and help to other boxers as his sporting ability.

"Nice one!" was Terry's response as he received the trophy in a surprise presentation.

He has been with Bexhill Amateur Boxing Club for approximately five years and plans to keep training with a view to becoming a coach himself in the future.

Terry, 26, said: "I got into trouble and I found boxing was my release. I feel if we can get some recognition and a bigger place to train we can get more lads in. Hopefully we can try and sort out some of the young lads around here."

Another award will be made to Charlie Dain who is to receive the Joe Pilbeam Shield as outstanding boxer of the year.

The boxing club meets on Tuesday and Thursday evenings as well as Sunday mornings and currently has eight members. They are Mikey Simpson, Perry Morgan, Darren Skeats, Alfie Peak, Terry Freeman, Aras Cassidy, Charlie Dain and Arthur Henry.

They are currently cramped for space and have to go to West Hill to use the ring and better facilities up there, but are hoping for greater things in the future.

One youngster with his eyes on the prize is Mikey Simpson who at just 12 years old is already 6ft 1in - his ambition is to box in the Olympics.

He has found the right trainer in Mick whose ambition has always been to prepare a young boxer for the ultimate in amateur competition.

Mick came to Bexhill Amatuer Athletic Club seven years ago, but he started coaching in 1972 and worked with the former Tackleway club.

He commented: "We are going from strength to strength...it is working out well. We have got more boxers now and we have got a good squad - it is doing well, and we are getting well known."