Marc West is given a wake-up call with a difference as he joins an early morning boxing training session

Dragging myself bleary-eyed from a warm bed at the crack of dawn and out into a chilly autumnal morning is certainly not my usual idea of fun.

I’ve been awake at this hour a few times before (back in my 20s), but admittedly from the other side.

However, for some, being up at this time of day is the ideal opportunity to squeeze a little extra out of today’s busy lifestyle.

As I approached the iridescent glow of Chipping Norton’s Glyme Hall community centre through the misty morning, I couldn’t help but feel I was entering something like the underground world of Fight Club.

Now, everyone knows the first rule of Fight Club (shhh)…except this white collar training session is open to people of any age or fitness. In fact, to my surprise, there were more girls than guys stepping up to the mark at this particular session.

Boxing is widely considered one of the most physically demanding sports in the world – with two people engaging in a contest of strength, speed, reflexes, endurance… and will.

Former Special Forces PT Toby Goodchild’s a true task master and (I won’t lie) he really puts you through your paces and pushes you to limits you didn’t know you had.

But, he’s highly experienced in working with novices to the noble art and if you’re prepared to put in the time and effort, the benefits will soon become very apparent.

Oxford Mail:
Left, Marc West with instructor Toby Goodchild

“I believe in fitness through education,” says Toby. “This type of training provides all-round physical conditioning… from the ground up.”

Jab, cross, jab, cross… duck, cross, upper cut, upper cut – I was throwing them at the pad (wo)man in quick succession and while not quite floating like a butterfly or stinging like a bee, I was rolling with the punches and giving it my all.

With the heart pumping and adrenaline flowing, I’ve never felt so focused – and that acute sharpness of my senses continued throughout the day… along with the Rocky theme tune as a permanent earworm.

While the usually sleepy market town of Chipping Norton isn’t quite the jungle, it has been well and truly bitten by the boxing bug and I have to say it’s very infectious.

Think you’ve got what it takes to make the grade and be a relentless force in the ring? With former World Champion Ricky “The Hitman” Hatton in your corner, here’s your chance to get fighting fit by taking part in his official ABC training programme run by Witney-based FITBeing.

Oxford Mail:
Beth Owen

Held every Tuesday and Thursday from 6.30am, this is gloves, pads, sweat and tears – all the fun of training like a champ, but without the contact.

And, if you make the grade, you’ll be in with a chance of joining the 20 brave fighters – including some surprise celebrities – who’ll go head-to-head over ten bouts on one incredible fight night at Chipping Norton’s beautiful Town Hall on June 6 next year – and, hopefully, raise £20,000 for Oxford children’s hospice Helen & Douglas House in the process.

For all the details visit rumbleinthecotswolds.co.uk

  • Do you want alerts delivered straight to your phone via our WhatsApp service? Text NEWS or SPORT or NEWS AND SPORT, depending on which services you want, and your full name to 07767 417704. Save our number into your phone’s contacts as Oxford Mail WhatsApp and ensure you have WhatsApp installed.