FORMER Gravesend boxer Harry Dhami has won a fight of a much different kind after the club set up was granted affiliation to the Kent Amateur Boxing Association (KABA).

Dhami received the news last week and it marks the end of three-and-a-half years hard work starting with getting the club, based at Elite Gym, Milton Road, Gravesend, up and running in March last year.

The 33-year-old is delighted as the affiliation means his proteges can now be entered in boxing competitions the length and breadth of the country.

The former British Welterweight champion said: "The news has put a perk in everyone's step and there is a buzz around the place. It is like winning a fight.

"There is so much talent at the club and those kids who are eager to fight in competitions will get the chance soon. Maybe not this season but certainly next season."

To achieve the affiliation the KABA inspected Dhami's club making sure the gym is up to standard and medical facilities are adequate.

The KABA also considers issues such as having the proper guidelines in place with regards to the Child Protection Act.

Moreover, Dhami said: "I had an interview with the KABA board where they asked about my goals for the club and boxing in Kent.

"I said I wanted to move the sport forward. Boxing has become stagnant in recent years, especially at grass roots level which has suffered greatly."

He added: "The board was impressed I was willing to give up a professional career, and the big money it promises, to concentrate on the kids.

"I also made it clear I did not want to undermine other clubs in Kent and I want us all to move forward and progress together."

Dhami, who lives in Lordswood with his girlfriend, was the first-ever British boxing title holder of Asian descent but he withdrew from the sport because of niggling injuries and although he is not fully retired he has piled his energies into the club.

Now, being able to enter fighters into competitions means life in the sparring ring at Dhami's club is going to change.

He said: "We have been training them hard with a view to improving technique and endurance but we have also been holding their training back a little, so as not to teach them too much about actual fighting until we knew they would be getting the ring properly.

"But now our training methods will change. We will break the fighters down and rebuild them as fighters who can perform over three rounds of two minutes."

To get involved with the club, go along between 4.30pm and 6pm, Monday to Friday, or call Harry Dhami on 07961 502245.