Kieron shares his inspiring story of how discovering boxing turned his life around.

Posted Mon 22nd Jan 2024 at 10:07
by Kieron Hayat

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"Boxing has now made me look at my disability as a way to enhance my performance, looking at what I can bring to the sport that others may not."

Hello, let me start by introducing myself. I am Kieron, a 28 year old male from Manchester. 

I have struggled with Tourette’s since before I can remember. I have always felt different from others and that made me feel quite isolated and shy during my adolescent years. During high school, I was always told by my teachers that I wouldn’t amount to anything; I was a waste of space. Hearing those words over and over again as a youth, I started to believe it. Those words ate away at my mental health and I became a lost individual who had no ambition in life. I hung around with the wrong crowd just to try and fit in and my life was leading into a spiral of antisocial behaviour and being known by the police. 

My first memory of boxing was siting with my grandma at about 13 years old, watching the Rocky film collection. Most kids that age would sit and watch a Disney movie or dream-works classic, but I was drawn in by the thrill of boxing. I became hooked! I was mesmerised and obsessed with boxing. All I could think about was how I would love to become a boxer but I lacked the confidence to do anything about it, until I was lucky enough that my path crossed with a self defence coach and I fell in-love with the sport instantly.

That shy little boy who was bullied at high school now had a purpose and boxing gave me a voice. I craved the discipline and that feeling of pushing your body further than I thought it could handle. Learning new skills to help defend myself made the world seem that little bit less overwhelming. I suddenly had this new confidence to stand up for myself. To prove I could be something and that I could take on any challenge that was thrown my way. 

Now, up until this point, my boxing had been behind closed doors. But during 2023 I have the privilege to watch my close friend move up throughout the boxing scene. Attending fights, helping with the preparation and training to upcoming fights and watching the buzz of the events made me want it even more. I had a chance to make connections with established companies, professionals and fighters to get tips and training advice. This gave me the push to sign up to my own fighting experience.

Ultra White Collar Boxing has given me the change to really prove what I’m all about. To prove that my disability isn’t going to hold me back and that I truly can do anything I set my mind to. Becoming involved in boxing has given me an extended family. The boxing community is full of support. People that WANT to see you succeed and people that accept you no matter what.

Boxing has now made me look at my disability as a way to enhance my performance, looking at what I can bring to the sport that others may not. I’m looking forward to seeing how far I can take this. This is just the beginning of my boxing journey.

Kieron is proudly flying the Tourettes Action flag on his official match shorts. Thank you Kieron and GOOD LUCK with your boxing carreer.

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