BOXING trainer hopes securing a permanent home for fighters in the city will change lives and benefit communities.

Kieran Davis said raising enough cash to create a base for boxers would give people a focus and encourage youngsters growing up across the city to ‘choose the right path’.

His comments came after an 850-strong crowd streamed through the doors of the Kassam Stadium to watch Oxford’s amateur boxers and rising stars in action on Saturday.

The white-collar, black-tie charity fight night night, dubbed ‘Stamina: The Return’, saw 24 fighters battle it out in the ring to raise cash towards a permanent premises, rather than the buildings they are using at the city’s old speedway and greyhound track.

The talent pool, aged from 16 to 41, were backed by Geordie double-act Ant and Dec and cheered on by many famous faces including former WBA heavyweight champion David Haye.

Oxford United chairman Darryl Eales also lent his support towards the boxing bash.

Mr Davis, who is the owner of club Stamina, said the event was ‘amazing’.

The 28-year-old from Blackbird Leys added: “It was a cracking night. It was brilliant all round.

“All the money raised had gone into our fund for a new venue, which will get kids off the streets and also be something for the whole community.”

The Oxford City Council highways engineer said his passion for the sport kept him focussed as a youngster when his friends were dabbling in drugs or getting thrown behind bars. The coach currently trains boxers from across the city at Oxford Stadium in Sandy Lane. He said: “It’s my passion and it’s something I have always done since the age of six.

“Growing up in Blackbird Leys and seeing my friends going down the wrong paths, boxing kept me away from that. If I can change one kid’s life, I have reached my goal.”

The fight night raised about £1,600 to go towards finding a home for the boxing club, which Mr Davis said he hoped would be up and running for all ages by September.

Mr Davis, who organised the event with Adrian Prescott, said young people can benefit from the discipline and regular training the sport brings.

Saturday’s white-collar event involved people with no experience in the ring who had undergone 10 weeks of intensive training, Mr Davis added: “Being at the Kassam was amazing. “We are going places.”