Former professional boxer John Fury – father to two-time heavyweight champion Tyson Fury and Love Island runner-up Tommy Fury - will be opening a new Community & Wellbeing Hub today in the heart of Walsall (17:00 approx.).
The hub has been established by Walsall-based Midlands Langar Seva Society (MLSS) - the UK’s leading hunger prevention and food donation charity – where the idea born during the peak of the pandemic where MLSS volunteers were able to see first-hand the impact the pandemic was having to some of the most vulnerable and disadvantaged in society.
The former derelict clothing factory - located on 501 Bloxwich Road, Walsall - contains an all-encompassing state-of-the-art gym, studios for workout and creative classes, an on-site physiotherapist, social meeting & workspace, music studio, and an on-site café run by volunteers with learning or social difficulties.
At the very heart of the MLSS Community Hub is an industry-standard Boxing Gym – one of the largest in The Midlands - featuring two full-size boxing rings and an entire floor space dedicated to punchbags, speed balls and personal one-to-one training.
The gym ties heavily into John Fury’s relationship with boxing as a way out of crime and to aid positive mental health. MLSS work and train people from a range of different backgrounds – from those with severe learning disabilities and addiction problems, to those in gangs or dealing with depression and mental health issues.
Attracting budding boxers from as far as Lancaster, Preston and Wales, the MLSS Community Hub houses some of the nation’s best boxing trainers on board to help deliver some of these crucial lessons:
· Reduce feelings of anxiety, depression, and negative mood swings
· Help to build confidence & self-esteem in individuals
· Channel displaced aggression & anger into something more positive
· Alleviate symptoms of social-withdrawal (worsened by the pandemic)
· Teaching the art of discipline, work ethic & self-control
· Empower women and the vulnerable to feel safe on our streets
Whilst at the opening, John Fury will unveil a special plaque and hand-painted mural of his son Tyson Fury within the Boxing Gym, alongside his inspirational quote: “If I can show the world that you can come back from it (depression), and get back in shape and to the top, then anybody can do it.”
Later on in the evening at 9pm John Fury will be sitting down at Members Club Vaal & Vaal, Wolverhampton for a no-holds barred discussion into his career and personal life.
