Craig Gardner leads way in helping new boxing club

Dec 14 2008

“So I’ve helped them with little things like the mirrors, I’ve bought them a load of kit to wear and I’ve put some money into it, so it’s going well at the moment. Every day I’m with footballers who don’t really need cash, but when you go back to your roots it’s nice to help people who are struggling to scrimp and save to try to find money for their own kids.

“It’s not just me. There’s a lot of other people who have helped and put the cash in, as well.

“It’s good that young lads want to do it. They don’t want to just walk round the street. They know that they’re good at the sport, so they want to fulfil their dreams.”

Previously, Villa have incorporated boxing into their training routines and Gardner, who skips to improve his footwork, is even considering using the Bordesley Green gym to stay fighting fit during the next close season.

But Villa manager Martin O’Neill has no need to worry about the versatile Brummie being beaten black and blue, because Gardner has no intentions of following his hero, boxing legend, Ricky ‘The Hitman’ Hatton, into the ring.

“I like a bit of boxing,” said Gardner. “I like to see the big fights and I like to see the young lads coming through.

“I’ve not boxed or had any proper fights, but I’ve done the training and stuff. The training’s really good and maybe I will do training there as well just to keep my fitness up in the pre-season, because it gets you really fit.

“We’ve done it in the past at Villa but now it’s more about weights and balance work here, although if you want to do your skipping and quick feet, you can.

“Who’s my favourite boxer? It’s got to be Ricky Hatton. He’s just an entertainer. He’s toe to toe every fight, in your face and he can bang, as well.”

The only bout Gardner has experienced lately is the bout of flu which has swept through the Villa dressing room in recent weeks and forced him to miss training last week. But the 22-year-old is desperate to be top of the bill and in Villa’s first team again after being restricted to performing on the under-card of O’Neill’s squad so far this season.

“The best way is to come out fighting for your place,” added Gardner.

“If you look at the midfielders, we’ve got Steve Sidwell, who’s come in and done well, Gareth Barry and Stiliyan Petrov, who have been unbelievable this season and Ashley Young and James Milner.

“So there’s five midfielders there who are just playing out of their skin at the moment. How can I go and knock on the gaffer’s door and say ‘I’ve got to play’?

“I’m happy that they’re doing well and that I’m on standby, ready to fill the hole when the chance becomes available.”