The top coach whose club packs a mighty punch

Hard work, discipline and respect are all part of Mark Reigate’s recipe for success at Fitzroy Lodge Amateur Boxing club, saving London lives for over 100 years

Fitzroy Lodge Amateur Boxing Club was founded in 1908 by Dr Lionel Balley in an attempt to improve the health of the residents of Lambeth through exercise. More than a century later, the social issues being addressed by current Lodge head coach Mark Reigate may be different to those faced by Balley, but they are no less important.

“I grew up in Croydon with my mum, who raised three of us and taught us that you achieve nothing in life without hard work,” Reigate says.

“London’s community spirit is alive in this gym. We help each other out and help kids out who can’t help themselves because of their tough upbringing. It is all based around hard work, discipline and respect. The club is a big part of my life. Everyone there is my second family.”

Reigate enjoyed a successful amateur career before becoming the Lodge’s figurehead in 2013 after the death of boxing legend Mick Carney – not only the senior coach for 45 years, but also the man who put a 10-year old David Haye on the road to the world heavyweight title.

“Mick was a father figure to me and many others,” says Reigate. “I was a scallywag brought up on a council estate, yet Mick took me on a totally different journey. Some of the worst criminals came into the club and took stick from Mick for not working hard enough, but they all respected him.

All the locals in this area have heard of our boxing club because of the work that Mick did for the community.”

Reigate is currently working with super-heavyweight Ossie Omoregie and is committed to carrying on helping as many different members of society as he is able to.

“We cater for all ages, races, genders and abilities – no-one is here for personal glory,” he said. “I love London and all it offers. We just never know who is going to walk through our doors.”

To find out more about Fitzroy Lodge, click here.

Next week, we meet the legendary Savile Row tailor Edward Sexton.

Do you know an inspirational Londoner with a story to tell? Nominate them in the comments box below or tweet their story to #madeoflondon and they could be featured in the Evening Standard.

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