Sikh fighters aim to encourage other girls to box

2 hours ago

Nick Clitheroe,in Leamington Spaand

Vanessa Pearce,West Midlands

News image — Jaya Kalsi and Serena Mali have both represented England at the sport

BBC Jaya Kalsi is wearing a blue shirt and is seen in a boxing gym. She is also wearing blue supports on her wrists and is holding both hands aloft. Serena Mali is wearing a black T-shirt, has long hair tied back and is holding a fist in the air. — Jaya Kalsi and Serena Mali have both represented England at the sport

Two teenage Sikh boxers from Warwickshire are hoping their success will encourage more young girls to take up the sport.

Jaya Kalsi and Serena Mali have both represented England and are waiting to hear if they have been selected for the Youth Olympics later this year.

Fast, ferocious and fully focussed, they also harbour ambitions of making it to the Olympics in Los Angeles in 2028.

"I could say [it is] the winning of the belts and the medals, but I think it's more the community and family side of it," said Mali, "the gym is practically my second home".

The 16 year olds from Warwick have trained at Cleary Boxing Gym in Leamington Spa since they were young.

"My dad was a big fan of boxing, so that's how I got into it," added Kalsi.

"He was a huge fan of Floyd Mayweather and from then on since I've loved the sport."

Two female boxers are in a ring sparring with male trainers. — The pair have trained at Cleary Boxing Gym since they were young

Last month they fought for England at the World Futures Cup - Kalsi returning with a bronze medal.

Both have also won multiple British titles as well.

Now they are waiting to hear if they have made the team for the Youth Olympics in Senegal later this year but long term, their ambitions are clear.

"The 2028 LA Olympics, to win a medal there and become a world champion in the future," said Kalsi.

"You have to think it in your mind, you have to envision it."

Their proud trainer is Edwin Cleary, who set up the club after his own professional career finished, to give others the chance he got.

"I was a little bit apprehensive with female boxing because I'm from an older generation," he said.

"But the girls we've had in the gym, and these two in particular, they've changed my mind and changed my opinion of female boxing immensely.

"They're phenomenal."

Two years ago the pair featured in a BBC documentary, Sikh Boxing Warriors, and said they were keen to inspire more girls with the same heritage to give the sport a chance.

"I have Sikh heritage, I have warrior blood inside of me, so when I fight that's in the back of my mind, added Mali.

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