Stormzy inspiration for South London boxing-led programme

Music superstar Stormzy has taken time out to visit a South London boxing-led community programme – and pass on some valuable and inspirational advice.

Registered Battersea-based charity Carney’s Community helps disadvantaged and excluded young people off the streets and away from a life of crime by giving them skills, discipline and self-respect.

It welcome the Glastonbury-headlining rapper to have a chat with one of the programme’s success stories, Dante, which was recorded in a video by PoshBoy.

You can view the video below. Please note: Pad work and sparring clips were filmed pre COVID-19.

The youngster has gone on to box competitively for Fitzroy Lodge which, along with Earlsfield, is referred talented boxers by Carney’s.

“All the things you care about when you’re younger… you will get to an age where none of it matters,” Stormzy tells Dante.

“There so many things out there that can lead you down a bad road, but what you did was to stay coming (to the gym).

“All the opportunities that can come have come from you making that one decision.

“Whatever you want to do, as long as you dedicated and focused, you can do it.”

Carney’s has been inspired by the late local boxing legend Mick Carney, which takes an unusual resource-intensive approach that has ultimately been effective by creating lasting change over time, through hard work and dedication.

It works to reduce offending, re-offending and anti-social behaviour, while improving social mobility and community cohesion.

Find out more about the project by clicking here.