The real life ‘Rocky’
Harry Andrews leads out Darren Hamilton in Rotherham 2010
I have regularly photographed Darren Hamilton ever since he restarted his boxing career two years ago. Down on his luck he was broke, homeless and sleeping on the couch of the gym I go to. Last night he won the British title.
Harry Andrews was a promising boxer whose career was prematurely ended by an injury. After his dreams of becoming a champion were thwarted he became a trainer at a London white collar boxing gym. The sort of place that caters mostly for financial folk wanting to work out in-between spending their bonuses.
One day a ‘washed up’ boxer came in to exercise and punch a few bags. Harry could see that Darren still had the potential – but first had to persuade him to believe in himself. So they teamed up and began the long journey that starts on the bottom of the bill at small halls in provincial towns. After a fight most boxers have down time for a while before preparing for their next bout. A chance to enjoy themselves, to relax and eat and drink and do all that’s forbidden when they are training. Harry wouldn’t allow that, he wanted Darren to train every day. To be permanently fighting fit so that whenever the break came, they would be ready.
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Five days ago the phone rang. British champion Ashley Theophane’s televised defence fight was in doubt. His opponent was ill and had pulled out so they needed to find a last minute replacement. Someone who they thought wouldn’t trouble the champion too much…
It sounds like a corny film that’s been made too many times before.
Substitute boxing for horseracing, athletics or motor racing and it’s an all too familiar screen tale. The thwarted career of the mentor, the self doubt of the protégé, together they realise their dreams.
Sometimes though, it’s a true story.
Darren Hamilton – British Light Welter Weight Champion
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