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The Stockton based boxing gym started with little to nothing when it first opened its doors over five years ago, but now thanks to recent investment the facility has been turned around.

Thousands of pounds have been pumped into the academy which now boasts top of the range equipment such as twelve new heavy bags, new gloves and has just recently been affiliated, meaning its youngsters can now compete in the amateurs.

"When I first started, the gym was half the size it is now. We all pitched in and managed to knock some walls through, put some flooring down. We were working on it morning, noon and night for the best part of six weeks just to get it open."

When the Stockton based academy opened it had its back against the ropes, trying to survive on a shoe string budget, broken windows, punching bags held together by tape, limited lighting and a boxing ring with holes in the canvas were just the beginning of the problems.

"We had a limited budget, and at the time didn't even have a ring. There were better boxing gyms around, but people stuck with us and it was those people who kept the gym alive", said Imran.

Creating Champions

The gym has helped train many talented athletes in its time from, mixed martial artists to championship winning kick boxers, and is now hoping to create their own.

Sam Reeve works out at the club

"We have a good set of youngsters with great work rate, but most importantly they are willing to listen and learn. There may be highs and lows along the way, but I think they can have a very successful amateur career."

Natural Progression Boxing Academy plans to compete this season and already has a number of boxers' training hard four days a week in preparation, something which would not have been possible without the investment they received.

"We were in no shape to compete before the investment. Not because a lack of talent, but because we didn't have the equipment we needed.听 But it is great that we can now compete and gives people here a chance to test themselves", said Imran, who also had an amateur career when he was younger.

Investment

Former Cruiserweight Champion Glen McCrory re-opened the gym in 2006 and was said to be extremely impressed, since then the gym has only improved, receiving investment from the Princes Trust and parents' of the people who attend. This has helped get new equipment and transform the academy.

Imran explained "One parent came into the gym and donated some money to us, he was so impressed in the change of his son and his attitude that he wanted to help which was great!"

Despite struggling early on, the gym has now become a hub of excitement and is making its way in the world of boxing, next stop London Olympics?

"Absolutely, I think its something which every club hopes for and if some of the youngsters' keep training hard then I don't see why it couldn't happen, we have some really talented boxers here."听