Rotherham, South Yorkshire. It’s where I grew up, where I still live. Miners, Steelworkers, the town is full of tough people who’ve lived through tough times and come out of the other end. The old adage is that the best boxers come from tough backgrounds. You don’t get much tougher than this. I wanted to see if it was true.
In a gym slightly off the beaten track is where you’ll find Jamie Kennedy and his ‘Millennium Kennedys’ gym. This is how boxing gyms should be – paint peeling off the walls, old posters from classic fights, mirrors, bags, pads and the thwack of skipping ropes as they hit the concrete floor on a rotation. Close your eyes and you could be in a Hollywood film – however, this is real – and it’s in Rotherham.
Jamie is 42 years old, although you’d be hard pushed to say he was any older than 30. On my visit to do this interview I was ushered into a room off the side of the gym where Jamie was undertaking his own personal workout – part of his daily routine. The bit I saw would have been enough to finish most people off. The reason for such a rigorous fitness regime became apparent in a subsequent visit – more of that later. I had gotten to know Jamie via my attendance at ringside at some of the fights at Magna promoted by Dave Coldwell, where his fighters were on the bill. Jamie Hughes, Joe Rodgers, Maxi Hughes, Chad Gaynor. All real talents who look to have a real future in the game – Chad will be taking part in the upcoming Prizefighter Welterweight event in Wolverhampton. Write the names down. Watch this space.
JW: Jamie – what’s your background? How did you get into boxing?
JK: Strangely, I’ve never fought a professional bout even though people generally think that to be a coach/trainer you have to have. I’ve been in and around boxing all my life – it’s in my blood. My Great Uncle was Arley Hollingsworth who fought for a World Bantamweight Title over 100 years ago, my Grandad was a bare knuckle fairground fighter before turning pro as well, and then my Dad was a really successful amateur and went professional. He fought out of the Ingle gym in Sheffield just as it was getting going, actually fighting alongside Brendan and then for him when Brendan became a trainer. I was always up there with him doing some job or other
just to be around the boxers, I started training and did some sparring and loved it.
So how did you get into training/coaching
A bit by accident really! I was doing a lot of running (I still do some when I get chance!) but I suffer from hay fever and in the summer it was awful. I got a punchbag for home to train on that and then someone I knew asked if I could teach some boxing to their son which I started doing. I was window cleaning at the time but really enjoyed it so I took all the courses and became a fully accredited boxing coach/trainer. I decided to see if there was a room in Rotherham I could use and I ended up being offered a room above the Millennium pub in Rotherham (hence the name!) which was rent free so I took it. It just built from there. I opened up and the first session, there was only me turned up!! So I just trained myself. Eventually though word got out and it grew. I took a 2nd room, then a 3rd and then I ended up buying the place. That was 13 years ago.
How’s it gone since then?
Brilliantly. Within the first 10 years I had fighters at open shows, boxing at championships and 8 years ago I was invited to join the Yorkshire Regional coaching squad.
The Mean Streets of Rotherham
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