Boxing champ packs a punch

World class training for Birmingham businessmen.


Fitness fans at Aston-based building services provider JS Wright are getting pumped up over the world title prospects of top Midland boxer Tommy Langford.

They are raising gloved fists in support of the 25-year-old who is challenging for the vacant World Boxing Organisation Inter-Continental middleweight title at the National Stadium in Dublin on July 4th.

Victory against Germany’s Ronny Mittag in his 13th professional fight would guarantee Tommy a top ten WBO ranking and the possibility of challenging champion Andy Lee of Ireland for the world title.

Tommy’s progress is a source of inspiration for JS Wright’s Finance Director Martin Roberts and CAD Manager Simon Bevin, who have been facing Tommy in the ring at Birmingham’s Fighting Fit City Gym. The former England captain and amateur boxing champion, who is now signed to Frank Warren and has won all 12 of his professional fights, assists as a personal trainer at the club.

The hourly sessions that Martin and Simon spend with Tommy include sparring, pad and technique work, and intense circuit workouts – all aimed at getting them in shape.

“It’s great having such a star local sportsman at the top of his game as a personal trainer,” said Simon Bevin, who lives in Rowley Regis. “I’ve always been interested in boxing and saw it as a way to improve my fitness and lose weight – and being able to share a ring with such a talent as Tommy is an added bonus.

“The training has made quite a difference to me. I’ve lost three stone, I’m more muscular and toned, and I’m more confident in my work.”

Martin Roberts, who lives in Solihull, added: “We wish Tommy luck with his title fight. It’s terrific that he regularly finds the time in his busy schedule to train us – and he deserves every success.”