I'm kind of happy I got kicked out of mainstream school. When I was there I had no intention, no motivation – I had no idea what I wanted to do. In a way it was my fault, but it was also the school's. I was in a rough environment and I was aggressive.
Here, things are different. I can box, my coaches support me and my mum knows everyone. Mainstream school is so big you could need help and the teachers won't even notice you. Here I feel comfortable talking to the teachers and I call them by their first names.
Most days we do half academics and half sports, but it's all mixed up. That helps because sometimes I get frustrated in class. In a normal school PE lesson it takes so long just to get through the demos – here they just make you do it.
Boxing helps vent my anger and frustration. I don't really get into fights anymore except in the ring. If people start a fight on the street I walk away because it's less constructive than fighting in the ring. I don't want to hurt myself on the street so I can't fight in competitions. I'm thinking about the Olympics now.
When I see young people fighting on the streets I just think, "I've done that before". It's stronger to say no to a fight. I try and give young people advice but they don't listen. It's hard to grow up around here without fighting. Some people attack you for no reason, just for fun.
On the streets now you can't just leave stuff – if you let yourself be a victim then everyone will start targeting you. I use boxing as self-defence. I feel more safe knowing that I know how to box. I know what I'm doing more – I'm more alert, more switched on. At the end of the day you are a trained athlete; it only takes one punch and it's game over for them.
Stepping into the ring is something else. You feel nervous, but you've just got to get up there and do it. You mustn't think about losing: you just think about winning. That makes me feel confident in other things as well.
My mum notices the difference. She doesn't have to deal with complaints anymore. I can't remember the last time I was in a street fight.
Some people are jealous, like "Why should you get this chance?" But I know deep down inside I do deserve it. When they're like, "You think you're good because you're a boxer", I just say yeah, I am.
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