The term 'boxing in the blood' was conceived with men like Stuart Clench in mind. Once high level Junior, Stuart went into coaching when his senior career, that was full of potential, got unfortunately cut short. Coaching was an inevitable step, considering his father Tom (also a trainer at Totten-ham & Enfield) has been coaching since the 70s and has boxers in his family going back for four generations.

Stuart it seems is a natural coach, refreshing considering many people in Amateur boxing fear that there is a distinct lack of young coaches coming through the system. Talking to his boxers you get the distinct impression that they have a huge amount of respect for Stuart. Often mentioned was that whilst his technical knowledge and teaching is of a very high level, it’s perhaps the amount he pushes them and the effort he puts

that is his biggest quality. One of his boxers told me that ‘when your coach gives you so much of your time and so much dedication you have to match it with an equal amount of dedication when you train and box other wise its just rude’.

An aspect of Stuarts training that seems immediately noticeable when attending a training session is the emphasis on strength. His boxers, who are predominantly juniors, spar with a style that seems unusual for boys of their age. They bob, weave and through viscous hooks to the body with a maturity that seems almost disconcerting. Stuart claims that the strength of his boxers, who he’s mostly been training for four years max, will start to show through in the coming seasons and predicts that as a result of this he will have 4 or 5 champions very soon.

When did you start boxing:
November 2005

Titles won:
London Golden Glove Finalist
Middlesex & Home Counties Minors

What boxer are you like:
I'm still young and have a lot to learn so I wouldn't say I was like him, but when I am older I want to box like Ricky Hatton. Hes boxes good.

Why Did You Start Boxing:
I always wanted to box. It was something to get me off the street, something to do. I was also quite big when I started boxing.

Best memory in boxing:
Winning the Minors. It was my first championship.

Worst memory in boxing:
Losing to Arthae Sharp (Eltham) in the Golden Gloves London final. I got robbed. My coach, Stuart, said that whoever won that bout would go on to win it, and he did. I don't know whether that makes it better or worse

What you most like about your club:
Loads of boys who are friendly. I like the sparring - George Thomson, Ben Grimes (my cousin) etc. The trainers are very good aswell, they keep us fit and they are all good in different areas.

Ambitions in Boxing:
To box for England then eventually go pro. I would love to box in the Olympics but I'm too young for 2012. So maybe 2016 will be my year. It's going to be a long wait.

When did you start boxing:
End of 2006

Titles won:
Angered Box Cup Silver (Sweden)

What boxer are you like:
I can't really say who I'm like but my favorite boxer is Tyson. I love the way he boxed. He was so ferocious and aggressive, I loved the way he kept knocking people out. He was the only boxer I ever followed. I do try and use his stlye in the ring though. Tuck up behind a tight defence, bob and weave and then go in with big hooks.

Why Did You Start Boxing:
I boxed for about 6 months when I was 15 and really like it. But I was imature and unable or rather unready to commit. When my mate took me here I got into it again.

Best memory in boxing:
Its got to be my last bout. I stopped the lad in the 30th second of the first round. The bout was in Dorset and he was from Poole. He had won four from five going into the bout.

Worst memory in boxing:
I don't really have one. Losing I guess, but everyone loses in Amateur boxing.

What you most like about your club:
The boxers and coaches at the club. The coaches put a lot of time and effort into us. That really helps you to train, knowing they work so hard.

Ambitions in Boxing:
To get as far as possiable. Hopefully turn pro one day. Maybe I can put on some weight and win the World Heavyweight Title, but thats not going to happen.

When did you start boxing:
I started when I was 10

Titles won:
Eastern Counties Golden Belt
Golden Gloves Essex Champion

What boxer are you like:
I like Ricky Hatton but I don't box like him. I'd say I'm a strong counter pun-cher. When I came to Totenham & Enfield from Chalvedon I wasn't using my power. Now I'm planting my feet and punching to the body.

Why Did You Start Boxing:
Both my grandad and dad boxed, and they boxed for this club (at that time Enfield). I still live in Essex and it would be much easier to still box for Chalvedon but I had to come to the club that my grandad and dad boxed for. Its definitely worth the drive.

Best memory in boxing:
Winning Eastern Counties, coming here for the first time and going to Finland with the club

Worst memory in boxing:
Just before the Golden Gloves I broke my nose running up some stairs at school. It was alright because I got a by to the next round, but it did mean I couldn't spar for weeks. That was really frustrating.

What you most like about your club:
I enjoy the hard training and also like the one-on-ones with Stuart. He's a top trainer.

Ambitions in Boxing:
I would like to box for England one day. I don't know if I am good enough, but it's what I really want so I'll train hard to get there.