A BOXING club with the mantra \u201cknives down, gloves up\u201d is changing lives in Bradford.<\/p>\n
Father-of-four and coach Ismael Khan has been running his club, Untouchable Boxing Academy, for a number of years.<\/p>\n
It is about much more than just learning hooks, punches and footwork for those who attend Ismael\u2019s club.<\/p>\n
Ismael – who knows the harsh reality of prison life<\/a> first-hand – is on a mission to make sure young people stay on the right path.<\/p>\n A young girl practising at Ismael’s boxing club on Croft Lane (Image: Newsquest) They could be facing trouble at home, struggles at school, or even getting roped into crime.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ve had a lot of kids who\u2019ve been committing crime – some have been in prison,\u201d said Ismael,<\/a> who was jailed for four years following a fight.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ve changed their lives by getting them in the gym, disciplining them, showing the right way around life instead of going out and doing crime.<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cWhen we tell kids what they can achieve in boxing like become a champion, go to England Boxing where Anthony Joshua went, get onto the Olympics.<\/p>\n Police officers, Khunais Khan, and Cllr Kamran Hussain at Ismael’s club on Croft Lane (Image: Newsquest) \u201cIt\u2019s not only about the boxing, we\u2019re working with the kids about education.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t want them to go back on the streets and commit these offences.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve given them a better mindset to say ‘look, it\u2019s not worth it to be around these gangs, to carry this knife<\/a>, even if I don\u2019t stab no one carrying the knife<\/a> I\u2019m getting five years prison’.<\/p>\n \u201cIn my days, when I was younger, I experienced this life. I\u2019ve seen it.<\/p>\n \u201cThese things are not worth it.<\/p>\n Some of the equipment ready to be used by young boxers (Image: Newsquest) \u201cPeople think prison is easy. It isn\u2019t easy. I cried inside, I was upset, I was asking for my mother, my father, for forgiveness. When I came out I realised this isn\u2019t life for me. I changed my life completely.<\/p>\n \u201cIf they\u2019re in the gym they\u2019re going to think about their fitness, health, their life and ambitions.”<\/p>\n