Jimmy First turns a dream into a reality with Brighouse Boxing Club

FORMER Central Area lightweight champion Jimmy ‘The Fist’ First last spoke to Boxing News in February in the changing room after his final dance. Content with what he had achieved the 43-year-old went out on a high beating Karl Sampson in a four-round contest.

Jimmy, who began his boxing career at 27, had only ever been defeated by Britain’s top 10 fighters. At one point, he even held the title of the oldest champion in the country. Quite an impressive feat.

First had always harbored the hope of remaining involved with boxing post-retirement, and toyed with the idea of starting his own gym. This concept is now a realized dream. Nestled in the penthouse of ROKD climbing gym in Yorkshire, Brighouse Boxing Club officially commenced operations on June 17. The club has already begun to make a significant impact on its members.

“First explains that we already have a flourishing community of women, children, and men from diverse backgrounds,”

Parents have expressed that their children grapple with ADHD and anxiety, and we’ve seen women who face mental and social challenges. Our mission is to help such individuals emerge from their shell, fostering a sense of community. We’ve already received appreciation from parents, expressing their gratitude. The experience is truly remarkable and immensely rewarding.

Boxing News asks First what makes the club different and why it stands out from the rest.

“He responds, “We are not just a boxercise or fitness center. We have four, maybe five, excellent coaches.”

The well-traveled First, who has now transitioned into coaching, is currently reaping the benefits of the knowledge he has gained from his overseas experiences.

We specialize in boxing and focus on teaching boxing fundamentals. What sets us apart is my international experience. I have travelled globally, learning from boxing styles in countries such as Cuba, Mexico, the Philippines, Brazil, and Fuerteventura. We teach these diverse fundamentals in our training. We also include elements of dance, footwork, and boxing drills in our training regimen.

“First shares, “I’ve visited Cuba twice, each visit lasting two weeks, specifically for boxing. I encountered Johnny Nelson in Havana, met Nacho Beristain in Mexico City, and also visited the Romanza gym in Mexico City.”

The club appeared to be operational quickly, but not without significant hard work.

“He explained, “All my coaches are skilled and useful men, such as joiners, welders, and so forth.”

“We did it in our evenings because they also have full-time jobs. Carrying all the punch bags up 10 flights of stairs was challenging.”

He stressed that from beginning to end, coaches Martin Golding-Smith, Kris Elvidge, Ted Leather, and Edee Shaw have all contributed.

“We’ve managed to acquire rope covers all the way from Saudi Arabia, thanks to my friend Gavin Brammah who brought them back. We also have them from Knockout Chaos, the 5v5, and the Ring of Fire undisputed. It’s truly amazing, it’s akin to a boxing museum.”

The gym not only features some iconic rope covers and fight posters, but also some memories from First’s career.

“He adds, ‘We’ve got pictures on the walls that capture our memories, and nobody can take that away, can they?'”

BN asks First if he misses competing and how he has found the transition into coaching.

“He replied, ‘I will undoubtedly always miss boxing and fighting, but I had an extraordinary career from the moment I started.'”

“I’m truly having a great time and I continue to engage with people like Callum Simpson. I’m in partnership with three professionals – Dan Garber, Brandon Pickup, and Keiran Tennant. I even have a guy who travels two hours each way from Market Drayton, Shropshire to train with me. He has already mentioned how this has revitalized his career. We also have members from Leeds and Wakefield who come to train with us, which really says something about our program.”

The statement initially details that the newly crowned British super-middleweight champion, Callum Simpson, will visit the gym with his recently won title, having just dethroned the former champion, Zak Chelli.

First explained, “I believe he’s just returned from vacation, but he’ll definitely come to the gym and show off his bling to the kids.”

“We had Jasmina Zapotoczna over when she won her belt, which was a pleasant experience. It provides a bit of inspiration to women and children, which is wonderful.”

BN closes by asking First what his long-term goals are for the club. He replies, “We’ll have a stable of professional fighters and champions, that’s the long term.”