Rathbone coach to feature in Idris Elba-fronted BBC programme

Idris Elba is fronting a new BBC show where young adults looking to turn their lives around are trained by an England Boxing-affiliated coaches in the hope of competing in a boxing bout.

Eight people selected from England, Scotland and Wales seek to step into the ring after honing their boxing skills under the guidance of former national champion Rachel Bower and others at London clubs Hawley ABC and Rathbone ABC.

Fight School came about after Elba saw first-hand how a community of young people in South Africa were empowered and transformed by the introduction of a local boxing club and wanted to implement a similar project in the UK.

He hoped the intensive eight-month course of boxing training would help arm his recruits with discipline, ambition and mental resilience, enabling them to acquire new life skills – and ultimately change their lives.

The would-be boxers – chosen from hundreds of applications – trained twice a day, six days a week, while also having access to a life coach and inspirational mentors.

But they would only be able to step into the ring for a sanctioned bout if they were deemed fit and capable to do so.

Bower said: “The participants will all say it’s made a difference to them in different ways.

“The programme isn’t actually about boxing, it’s more about setting yourself a goal and battling with the old you to reach it, and it’s something many boxers will be able to identify with.”

Fight School will be broadcast on BBC 2, starting on Sunday 17th April, from 9pm to 10pm.