words Gary Baker pictures Steve Pope
When Andrew Selby works in Sheffield with the Great Britain boxing squad he may have a clinically clean, state-of- the-art environment to hone his talent, but an old school canteen in the heart of Cardiff's suburbs is his real boxing home.
The 23-year-old flyweight from Barry, 52kg class in modern terms, is getting used to the best ahead of this summer's London Olympic Games, he uses the latest in training facilities, no cost is spared. In fact, Selby said of his new Yorkshire home, "It's the best gym I've ever seen."
In contrast to Splott Adventure Amateur Boxing Club, one of the best known names in Welsh boxing. It is no bigger than a classroom, not much in the way of heating and with a few holes in the roof here and there.
There are no cardio vascular testing machines or fancy equipment there. Just gear that helps with raising the sweat.
The heavy bags and speed bags hang from the ceiling, a ring dominates one half of the area. In case the boxers need some inspiration, as in all gyms worth their salt, posters of the classic fights and star boxers of all time hang from the walls.
This is real-life Rocky material and James Mwasigallah - Maz - who has coached
boxing
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Selby since he was a child, is Splott's own version of trainer 'Mickey' from those movies.
He is essential to Selby's cause. Where the national coaches in Sheffield pass on their expert guidance on how to win Olympic medals and become a champion between Monday and Thursday, Maz crafts his star fighter, who was selected for the Games last year, from the experience of a partnership that has stretched over a decade.
Now everyone concerned with Selby, both in Splott and Sheffield, are putting the finishing touches to a boxing dream that can bring home a medal worth its weight in gold.
Selby said, "Sheffield is great but these are the toughest gyms. When you come in these places, you have to train hard just to get some heat inside you!
"It's Rocky-style. We are just looking to
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