Get to know Ali J Ahmed, the Founder of The Box London.
Finding a Personal Trainer or Boxing Coach in London may sound simple but getting results from the right one is another story.
Everyone is different. We all have various goals, specific requirements and need different types of training.
Ali J Ahmed was always into sport and had hoped to get into boxing coaching one day from the very early years. He gained his sport and nutrition expert knowledge from St Marry's University and became a professional boxing trainer in 2019. Now he applies it in everyday commercial and professional boxing training sessions.
Ali prides himself on using communication and respect to motivate clients and future professional boxers to achieve their goals. No matter their age, gender or level of ability.
Read this interview and get to know Ali J Ahmed, professional boxing coach in London, the founder of The Box London.
Ali, can you tell us what made you become a Boxing Coach in London?
I played a lot of sport as a youngster—cricket, football and rugby at an acceptable level. I studied sports science and nutrition in West London and then went to St Mary's University in South West London and got a degree. I was always hoping to become a physiotherapist or get into coaching one day. During my studies, I was working at the Sports Park Club in London. One day I asked if there was an opportunity for me to go to the gym. It all started from there two, maybe three years later.
Out of the blue, a friend of mine asked me if I wish to do a boxing class, as the club was looking to diversify the range of sports they were offering at the time. Being a boxing fan, I have agreed, and I had 20-30 people in a class. It made me want to take the professional and amateur elements into the commercial environment and teach the public members how to box properly.
Thanks to this robust and stable journey, in 2019, I got my professional boxing licence and became a professional boxing coach in London.
How did you establish The Box London?
In 2015 I was doing charity boxing events at the Sports Park Club and became very good friends with Ryan, a transformation champion. Ryan encouraged me to set up a company. We have put together a company name, Ryan came up with a strong, bold logo, and in 2016 The Box London was made official.
What are the challenges you have faced along the way?
It has been nearly a year since the beginning of the pandemic. Our mental wellbeing has been challenged over the last year. First and foremost, thoughts and prayers to all the people who lost someone or have been affected by the pandemic in any way.
All of a sudden, everything changed, and we had to adapt. As a London Boxing Coach and a Personal Trainer, you go from full time to a few hours a day. Following the Government guidelines, I had to temporarily close The Box London studio three times for various periods within one year. When it happened for the first time, I had to act fast and effectively to continue my job as London Boxing Coach and Personal Trainer. With the help of Matt and Anna at Vision Marketing, I was able to make it happen. Within a weekend, I could start to deliver live, virtual boxing and fitness classes to help everyone stay healthy and lift the spirits. At first sight, it seemed challenging, but it made The Box London only good. I have been fortunate to have landlords at Club Des Sports, where my London Boxing Studio is located. They have helped me a lot by treating me very well throughout these unprecedented time.
What is your most significant achievement so far since you started your journey as a London Boxing Coach?
It is a difficult question. It was a few achievements.
Doing free work at charity boxing events very early in my career. All for fantastic cause-to raise funds for sports equipment for individuals in need.
Setting up The Box London as a company, which came up with doing free charity events.
Getting my professional boxing licence.
Getting the opportunity to work with Jordan Thompson, a professional fighter of mine.
What are your long-term goals and aspirations, looking ahead to the next five years?
From the professional boxing point of view, I want to stay with Jordan Thompson to develop him as a boxer and me as a Boxing Coach. Looking ahead to the next few years, I would like to get more professional fighters through the door.
Develop The Box London studio at Club Des Sports in West London from 7-8 to 15-20 hours a week while maintaining every sessions' quality all the time. I am more than happy to assist amateur boxers wanting to improve, not by training them, as my licence does not allow me to do it, but by guiding them.
What advice would you give to the others in the industry?
I am always happy to advise anyone in need.
Do not give up. Have patience. There may be some bumps in the road, but it is all in your mentality. Keep believing in yourself. Stay positive, regardless. It is a vision, not a dream. Hard work pays off.
"Do not think you can do it on your own. This arrogance is a downfall. You might have all the knowledge in the world, but if you don't have that calmness to take critics, you won't be able to move on."
Conclusion
If you are looking for a professional boxing coach in London, want to learn boxing or require safe, supervised boxing classes for teenagers in West London, contact Ali @ The Box London today.
During the pandemic, Ali provides boxing classes online, but as soon as the restrictions are eased, you can benefit from various boxing classes at his Studio at Club Des Sports in West London. If, for some reason, you can't make our scheduled sessions, please get in touch. We can do 1-to-1 online boxing sessions to suit your needs.
For everyone living a super intense life where finding time to commute is a challenge, Ali is always happy to meet at a preferred location (home, office, local park, etc.), whatever is more convenient, when the lockdown is over.