‘He taught us how to be better men’: Boxing club reunion celebrates long-time coach
About 150 former members of a Croydon boxing club gathered for a reunion to honour the club’s founder and long-time coach.
Alumni of the South Norwood & Victory Amateur Boxing Club (ABC) from the past 40 years gathered at the Charnwood Road site to celebrate Terry Smith.
Mr Smith, now 85, has dedicated almost six decades of his life to guiding young boxers to help them develop both in the ring and as individuals.
Among the attendees was Joshua Buatsi, world light-heavyweight champion, 2016 Olympic bronze medallist and one of the club’s most famous alumni.
The 31-year-old, who started boxing under Mr Smith’s guidance as a teenager, said: “Terry didn’t just teach us how to box, he taught us how to be better men.
“The values he instilled in me – discipline, resilience, respect – are things I carry with me every day, both in and out of the ring. I owe him so much.”
Visitors travelled from across the UK for the event, and messages of support poured in from around the world, expressing gratitude to Mr Smith.
Reflecting on the day, Mr Smith said: “I never expected anything like this. All I ever wanted was to help these boys find their way, both in boxing and in life. Seeing them all grown up and doing well – it’s the best reward I could ask for.”
Founding South Norwood & Victory ABC in 1979, Mr Smith had a vision to not only train boxers, but to offer a safe space where young boys and men could develop life values.
Over the years, he became a mentor and role model to aspiring athletes, shaping their futures well beyond the sport of boxing.
Through South Norwood & Victory ABC, Mr Smith and his co-coaches have created numerous champions in the amateur ranks, a number of whom went on to major success at professional levels.
Mark Gillespie, a co-coach at South Norwood & Victory ABC, and a former national junior champion, said: “Like many others from the club, Terry has been like a second father to me.
“Beyond his incredible dedication and expertise as a boxing coach – helping us develop our technical skills and passion for the sport – Terry invested in us as people.
“He taught us life lessons that went far beyond boxing. He taught us how to carry ourselves with discipline and respect, how to handle failure and how to support one another, both as athletes and as people.
“These were lessons in resilience, responsibility and leadership that have stayed with us for life, and which have positively influenced both our family and work lives.”
Pictured top: Joshua Buatsi, the 2016 Olympic bronze medallist, with former coach Terry Smith (Picture: Paul Amourdedieu)