Fighting town's corner for 30 years

When you talk about unsung sporting heroes, you need not look much further than Welshpool.

Mike Sinden has been the town’s Mr Boxing for three decades. Without fanfare, he has taken young lads in and trained them how to hone their aggression in a controlled environment while teaching respect and sportsmanship.

He has traipsed up and down the country taking lads to meets, often at his own expense, and every penny made through subs, fees and supporters is ploughed back into training the next generation. So when people ask him “why do you do it?” don’t be surprised with the answer.

“I love the sport and I get my satisfaction from seeing the lads that I have trained and worked with get something out of the sport as well,” he said.

Mike is gearing up for the club’s biggest night of the year. On December 10, local lads will take on fighters their age from across the UK in the Town Hall with the doors opening at 6.30pm. It promises to be a cracking night with a three-course meal thrown into the mix for good measure. Tickets are £30 a head.

“This night is crucial for raising funds in order for the club to survive,” explained Mike. “We have just moved into a new gym in the quarry which has been made possible thanks to the support of local businesses and people like builder Paul Schofield who put in a week of unpaid work.

“This typifies the spirit of the club. We are very much hand to mouth and any surplus allows us to buy more gear and welcome more people to the gym.”

One of the club’s success stories is of course Mike’s son Warren (pictured left together) who has already made his professional debut. On Monday, he will be in the corner giving advice to the likes of Dan Gethin, 16, who, according to Warren, is one to look out for.

You would think that after 30 years of largely thankless voluntary work, it would be wearing a little thin by now, but the new gym and current crop of fighters have obviously made Mike even more ambitious.

“We are looking to get a female boxing team going for 2013, but there will be more news to come on that!” he said.

Tables for Monday’s fight night can seat 10/12 but smaller groups and individuals will all be welcomed. Book your place by calling Mike on 01938 553626 or contact Warren Sinden on Facebook.