The Boxing Club

Frans Bijsterveld

Jun 8, 20222 min read

Updated: Aug 17, 2023

This book is about the Gwelo Combined Amateur Boxing Club, which fought at all levels between 1968 and 1978 and slightly beyond. For that reason, it can be seen as a snapshot of Rhodesian boxing in that period, and the lead-in also includes a brief history of Gwelo and Rhodesian boxing.

The very first book dedicated to boxing in Gwelo and Rhodesia.

They didn't know it then, but the lives of two young boys were about to change forever. That was the day Chris and Marc Ashley met their future trainer, a no-nonsense CSM at Rhodesia's School of Infantry in Gwelo.

Others followed, and took a step right out of their comfort zone. A long run and endless floor exercises later, they'd hit the punchbags, shadow box or spar one-on-one. But, for some, it meant much, much more.

The coaches with their impressive boxing pedigrees would push their young charges to new heights wth sweat and discipline, and achieve something remarkable.

The authors and others reflect on a great little club, with a group of youths and their mentors who would all become a close-knit family.

The Boxing Club Index

Are you or perhaps a family member/friend in it? Check out the index below?

Ordering

E-books

Green cover (with coach Lofty) (US$9.99)
Black cover (with coach Vic) (US$9.99)

Printed books

- Greyscale

From USA

Green cover (with coach Lofty) (approx. US$24)
Black cover (with coach Vic) (approx. US$24)

From UK (Amazon delivers from here to southern Africa)

Green cover (with coach Lofty) (approx. £19)
Black cover (with coach Vic) (approx. £18)

- Colour

From USA

Green cover (with coach Lofty) (approx. US$54)
Black cover (with coach Vic) (approx. US$54)

From UK (Amazon delivers from here to southern Africa)

Green cover (with coach Lofty) (approx. £70)
Black cover (with coach Vic) (approx. £104!!) Note: the green covered book has exactly the same content as this one.