“It’s my passion competing at a high level and I like to help people and pass down my knowledge to young people”
Professional bareknuckle fighter Sam Clarke, who runs SLC Boxing and Fitness in Accrington (left), with Worlds Strongest Man 2017 winner Eddie Hall
A professional bareknuckle fighter who turned his life around through sport is training the next generation of boxers.
Sam Clarke runs SLC Boxing and Fitness on Blackburn Road, Accrington where he provides boxing lessons for families that can’t afford to pay for training. Sam, 33, says he developed a love for boxing at the age of 18 and turned to the sport as a means to turn his life around after getting involved with the wrong crowd.
He owned jet washing company Clarke’s Exterior Cleans in Accrington but gave it up to pursue boxing. He began his journey at Kokoro Pro Boxing in Accrington with his teacher Jason Curtis.
The former Rhyddings pupil wants to use his skills and experience to help other children who may be struggling in life and to encourage them to get off the streets.
Sam, who was raised in Oswaldtwistle, said: “It’s my passion competing at a high level and I like to help people and pass down my knowledge to young people. I was a troubled person and was involved in crime when I was younger but when my son was born I needed to be stable and do the right thing so for the last 15 years I have dedicated myself to the sport.
“Boxing has taught me self respect, discipline, how to respect others, to be caring and every single thing a normal man should have, it has taught me in abundance.”
Sam teaches children from the age of four to adults of any age. He shares the gym with Top Rope Wrestling who operate on Wednesdays and Thursdays 6-7pm and Sam delivers his classes from 6am until 10pm every day.
Sam has extensive experience in the field, participating in many matches. He had his pro debut in February against legend Andrew Walsh, who he knocked out in the second round at Fenton Manor Sports Complex in Stoke-on-Trent.
Sam also fought amateur Brandon Walsh and knocked him out in the first 30 seconds at the same venue. He fought for the British title against Mick Kelly and ranked second in Great Britain and number 30 in the world.
Sam met World’s Strongest Man 2017 winner Eddie Hall who offered him a trip to Dubai to represent Great Britain in the SlapFIGHT Championship in July. He competed against one person and won all four rounds, taking the title home of champion.
Sam is due to fight Italian-American former professional boxer Paulie Malignaggi next year. SLC Boxing and Fitness can be found on Arch 1, Blackburn Road, Accrington, BB5 0AD.
Visit Sam Clarke’s Facebook page to contact him if you are interested in signing up to lessons.
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