Rewriting the rules outside the ring at Fight for Peace
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By Alexandra Flores I Laureus Sport for Good
In Newham's Fight for Peace London Academy, young boxers find their place, channelling energy and learning discipline in a supportive environment.
"I’d say boxing taught me three things: perseverance, patience, and persistence," said Percy, a former participant and now coach at Fight for Peace.
Fight for Peace works directly with young people at their Academy in East London, developing their potential through a Five Pillars methodology combining combat sports, education, employability, youth leadership and youth support services. This holistic approach increases impact and equips young people with the skills to become champions in the ring and in life.
The organisation has been supported by Laureus Sport for Good for over 15 years. It was established in Rio de Janeiro (2000) and expanded to the United Kingdom in 2007, serving more than 1,000 young people yearly.
"What boxing helps me with the most is being able to control certain situations that back then I wouldn't have been able to,’’ said Danny, also a former participant and current coach at Fight for Peace.
Fight for Peace works directly with young people at their Academy in East London, developing their potential through a Five Pillars methodology combining combat sports, education, employability, youth leadership and youth support services. This holistic approach increases impact and equips young people with the skills to become champions in the ring and in life.
The organisation has been supported by Laureus Sport for Good for over 15 years. It was established in Rio de Janeiro (2000) and expanded to the United Kingdom in 2007, serving more than 1,000 young people yearly.
"What boxing helps me with the most is being able to control certain situations that back then I wouldn't have been able to,’’ said Danny, also a former participant and current coach at Fight for Peace.
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Finding Purpose and Representation
When Percy moved to London, he sought a boxing gym that resonated with him.
Drawn to Fight for Peace via Instagram, he discovered a holistic approach that extended beyond combat sports, "I thought it was a normal boxing gym. But, to my surprise I found more than that.’’
"It came across to be a charity that was able to provide not just combat sports, but education and employability,” Percy said. “And everything is free. I’m like, whoa."
Using its Life Champions approach to coaching, Fight for Peace equips coaches to become mentors so they can not only nurture athletic talent, but also positive life skills in young people to help them excel beyond the ring.
With this holistic support of Fight for Peace’s boxing coaches, Percy found it important for other young boxers to learn and became a coach.
Fight for Peace, Percy said, reshaped his self-belief: "Before boxing, my perception was like, ‘I’m going to be bad at this’. But then it changed the moment I stepped in Fight for Peace."
When Percy moved to London, he sought a boxing gym that resonated with him.
Drawn to Fight for Peace via Instagram, he discovered a holistic approach that extended beyond combat sports, "I thought it was a normal boxing gym. But, to my surprise I found more than that.’’
"It came across to be a charity that was able to provide not just combat sports, but education and employability,” Percy said. “And everything is free. I’m like, whoa."
Using its Life Champions approach to coaching, Fight for Peace equips coaches to become mentors so they can not only nurture athletic talent, but also positive life skills in young people to help them excel beyond the ring.
With this holistic support of Fight for Peace’s boxing coaches, Percy found it important for other young boxers to learn and became a coach.
Fight for Peace, Percy said, reshaped his self-belief: "Before boxing, my perception was like, ‘I’m going to be bad at this’. But then it changed the moment I stepped in Fight for Peace."
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Danny's story echoes this theme.
Seeking an outlet for challenges with mental health, she found solace and strength in boxing at Fight for Peace.
"Life is a challenge... you have to be confident and resilient and have that discipline to push through the hard parts," Danny emphasised.
As a woman in a traditionally male-dominated sport, Danny actively challenges gender stereotypes. "That’s what I like doing, I mean, I’ll put my foot down and I’ll do it," she asserted.
Now a Fight for Peace coach, Danny aims to instill that same confidence in the next generation.
"I try to make them feel comfortable and have that sort of resilience. That feeling of ‘I want to be there’ – I can do it’.”
Danny aspires to compete, but her passion extends beyond personal achievement.
"Boxing is my passion," said Danny. "I want to compete, but I also want to develop as a coach and support others. To me, boxing is a very good thing for everybody to experience."
A Different Kind of Fight
For both Percy and Danny, boxing became a vehicle for clarity, self-control and community.
With sustained support from Laureus Sport for Good through funding, resources and collaborative training programmes, Fight for Peace is showing that boxing, combined with holistic development, builds futures through focus and pathways for young people.
"Boxing doesn’t build your ego, it builds you to stay calm," Percy reflected. "You won’t be going outside the ring to fight; you’re doing it to be a better version of yourself."
To learn more about Fight for Peace, visit https://fightforpeace.net/
Seeking an outlet for challenges with mental health, she found solace and strength in boxing at Fight for Peace.
"Life is a challenge... you have to be confident and resilient and have that discipline to push through the hard parts," Danny emphasised.
As a woman in a traditionally male-dominated sport, Danny actively challenges gender stereotypes. "That’s what I like doing, I mean, I’ll put my foot down and I’ll do it," she asserted.
Now a Fight for Peace coach, Danny aims to instill that same confidence in the next generation.
"I try to make them feel comfortable and have that sort of resilience. That feeling of ‘I want to be there’ – I can do it’.”
Danny aspires to compete, but her passion extends beyond personal achievement.
"Boxing is my passion," said Danny. "I want to compete, but I also want to develop as a coach and support others. To me, boxing is a very good thing for everybody to experience."
A Different Kind of Fight
For both Percy and Danny, boxing became a vehicle for clarity, self-control and community.
With sustained support from Laureus Sport for Good through funding, resources and collaborative training programmes, Fight for Peace is showing that boxing, combined with holistic development, builds futures through focus and pathways for young people.
"Boxing doesn’t build your ego, it builds you to stay calm," Percy reflected. "You won’t be going outside the ring to fight; you’re doing it to be a better version of yourself."
To learn more about Fight for Peace, visit https://fightforpeace.net/
