‘I want to build champions in my gym but not every champion wears a belt’
Boxer Sean Spence at Shore Boxing, Granton.(Image: REACH PLC)
An Edinburgh dad has opened his own boxing gym in Granton with the aim of producing a World Champion for the capital. Sean Spence, 33, is father to Callie, four, and Ella-Rose, one.
He had a successful career as an amateur boxer, winning UK titles and fighting around the world. But after hanging up his gloves in his late 20s, Sean then turned to coaching, being part of the Team Scotland set up that took him as far afield as Argentina.
Shore Boxing opened its doors on June 1, with a focus of producing high quality fighters, but more importantly, on building a community. Sean, who was no stranger to trouble in his youth, vowed he wants the space to be a home for the city’s tearaways and a place where they can learn discipline and realise their dreams.
Having worked in retail and a capital bingo hall, Sean went onto train as a heating engineer but it was only ever the ring that truly called to him. Through his extensive experience on the canvas, he hopes to put his new gym on the global stage, with world domination in his sights.
He said: “I’m opening this gym to create Edinburgh’s next world champion. Boxing in my life gave me purpose, direction and a reason to dream.
Sean wants to help mentor young people who have gone down the wrong path. (Image: REACH PLC)
“You work hard enough and boxing can take you all over the world. The sport gave me a reason to hope and something to aim for.
“It made me feel like I was somebody. Like I was actually doing something with my life.
“Boxing filled gaps in my life that I didn’t even know were missing. It gave me fulfilment in a way none of my other jobs ever could.
“I left working as a heating engineer because I knew I wanted to box full-time alongside personal training. I boxed for Scotland, won a British title and travelled all over the world.
“From Serbia to Thailand and the USA, boxing opened doors I never thought possible. I achieved things through boxing that I could only dream about as a kid.
Sean said everyone is welcome in his gym. (Image: REACH PLC)
“When I moved into coaching the same pathways were open to me. I travelled to Argentina and all over Europe – I want to give that same opportunity to others now.”
Opening the shore gym would not have been possible without the support of his twin brother Lee and his friends. Sean has also been able to lean on the stewardship of former coaches to be able to realise his dream.
He said: “When the opportunity came up to take over the gym, I knew it was time to build something of my own.
“My vision is simple: create a gym that develops champions and helps the community. I’ve set myself bigger goals as a coach than I ever did as a boxer.
“I want to produce world champions, and not just one. But I also want to give young people the same sense of purpose that boxing gave me.
Sean first got into boxing aged 14. (Image: REACH PLC)
“I’m after the tearaways, as I want to show them there are different ways to channel anger, aggression and energy. I want kids to walk through our doors and find discipline, direction and self-belief.
“Some people will want to win world titles. For others, their world title is getting out of trouble, losing weight or finding a purpose.
“I want to build champions in my gym but not every champion wears a belt. I think Edinburgh needs more places that create a sense of belonging, especially for young people.
“A boxing gym can be more than a gym, it can be a community. I think every city could do with more places like this.
“People think boxing is for tough guys looking for trouble. That’s completely wrong.
Sean believes boxing can help build community. (Image: REACH PLC)
“Boxing teaches respect, discipline and responsibility. People shouldn’t judge boxing unless they’ve actually seen what it does for communities.”
Sean reiterates that his gym is for everyone, whether male, female or non-binary – he wants to help anyone and everyone achieve their goals in life. The gym offers a range of classes, from amateur boxing lessons, to fitness classes and opportunities for kids.
He said: “Everyone is welcome through our doors. You don’t have to want to become a boxer.
“You can come here to get fit, healthy and be part of a community. We’re building a gym where anybody can belong.
“I’ve got twice as long to coach as I had to compete, so I believe I can achieve even more than I did in my own career. If I can help young people dream bigger and achieve more than I did, that’s a success.
“My goal is to leave a legacy through the people I coach.”
You can visit Shore Boxing’s gym here.