“Boxing training demands that you strike a pose–but Enzo Giordano’s classes are definitely not for posers. Based in Shadwell, first impressions are not good. Don’t be put off though: walking in with the man himself is like stepping on to a film set. The lights flick on to reveal a huge room with battered bags hanging in rows, a boxing ring, and an intriguing collection of posters covering the walls.”

“A super-middleweight contender in 90’s, Giordano has been running the club for 28 years. He began teaching at women’s gyms in south London but ended up sticking with this one place where he operates 7 days a week.”

“Throwing punches, I soon discovered is a remarkably addictive. But, as this is boxing training rather than the sport itself, none of the blows ever land on someone else’s nose. Beginners should arrive early so that Enzo or another team member can demonstrate, with the skill of a former pro, how to wrap the bandages which serve as protection for your hands and wrists. He then demonstrates the basic stance and key punches: jabs, crosses, hooks and upper-cuts. These are the essentials; everything else is practice. The class lasts 60 minutes, but it usually goes on longer as people lose track of time.”

“The warm-up a run round the block or a stint on the skipping ropes is followed by circuit training. Working with a partner, you complete all the stations: sparring in the ring, medicine ball, pads, weights and hammering blows on various punchbags. The session finishes with a bout on sit-ups and press-ups. This is a team effort everyone has to shout the count. I left dirty, smelly and utterly exhilarated. Sure, this is exercise but not as anyone at a swanky gym would know it.” -JE