A dad with one hand accidentally signed himself up for a charity boxing match - later deciding to see it through to inspire his three-year-old son.
Ben Lewis, from Neath in Wales, had only meant to register for tickets to the event, which was organised by Ultra White Colour Boxing (UWCB).
However, it wasn’t long before the 29-year-old found himself entering into training to learn the ‘basics’, saying he ‘appreciated’ how his trainers didn’t make any concessions for his disability and treated him 'the same as everyone else’.
Advert
Lewis, who was born without his right hand, fought the bout wearing a second glove secured with duct tape.
The amateur rugby player was ‘proud’ to see it through, hoping it sent a message to young son Evan.
He said: "Even if you have got things holding you back, don't stress, go with it and do your best."
While Lewis is an amateur rugby player, he admitted he had ‘never done anything like it before’, and started training twice a week for the event – which sees participants given the opportunity to take part in eight weeks of free gym-based training before fighting in front of hundreds.
Advert
Competitors are asked to sell tickets for the show and raise at least £50 for Cancer Research, with Ultra Events – the company behind the showcase – having raised £23 million so far.
Lewis said: “In the beginning, if I’m honest, I signed up in error. I have always wanted to give boxing a go so decided to give it a try and I’m so glad I did.
"One trainer in particular helped me a lot, Andrew Fry, whose nickname is Cockles - he does quite a bit of boxing.
Advert
"All of my sparring sessions were against him and he's light on his feet which does test you quite a lot.
"He had no intention of making any training session easy even though I was born with one hand.
"There were no concessions for me - they treated me the same as everyone else.
"That pushed me a bit and I appreciated being given the same treatment as everyone else.
Advert
"The trainers told me they had never trained anyone with a disability before - I was not put in a disabled boxing category, either."
The estimator, who works for Design and Supply in Merthyr, continued: "With boxing, you would assume it's a two-handed sport but I have managed to do it a different way.
"For the first four or five weeks, I was keeping the boxing glove on with duct tape but it started irritating my skin so then I wore a sleeve going over the top of my arm.
Advert
"I had mixed reactions from my parents but once they knew I was going through the training and could see how much I was enjoying it, they started to get excited.
"I learnt the basics of boxing, stance, fitness and a lot of aerobic exercises - just anything that can get you out of breath.
"I never left rugby training more tired physically and mentally than boxing training. It is challenging but rewarding, definitely."
Lewis eventually had to concede after his glove kept slipping off, but felt ‘proud’ to have taken part.
He said: "It was three two minute rounds and I made it to the third round but the silicon kept slipping off because of the sweat.
"The referee asked if I was OK to continue and I couldn't keep the glove on so the other guy won. He was a good fighter anyway.
"I didn't go in there to lose but I'm proud of myself for seeing it through.
"I lost three grandparents to cancer but they all died before I was born or when I was very young.
"I did it for everyone who at some point has been affected by cancer - anyone and everyone really who needs the help."
Lewis added that he hopes to keep up the boxing classes in the future.
The next Ultra White Collar Boxing event takes place in Swansea on 2 April 2022, with training starting the the week commencing 7 February 2022.
Anyone thinking of signing up can find out more here.
Featured Image Credit: Solent News