Kent Charity Boxing return for February 17 show at Lordswood Leisure Centre

Kent Charity Boxing are running another show later this month - and more newcomers are getting in the ring.

Jason Cobb, a civil supervisor from Chatham, dabbled in karate and Thai boxing as a kid but the family man, now 35, is training hard ahead of his first-ever boxing bout.

The KCB show takes place on Saturday, February 17 at the Lordswood Leisure Centre.

Cobb said: “To say the training has been hard is an understatement and every time I do it I’m proper blowing, but it has been really enjoyable.

“It’s my first time boxing and something completely new. When I was younger I used to do a lot of karate and Thai boxing but that was 20 years ago! I have had to start from the very beginning.”

The Kent Charity Boxing team offer eight weeks of training for free - working out of the Kent Gloves Gym in Gillingham - with this month’s show raising money to help a young girl, Leilani, who has a rare heart and lung condition.

Cobb was tempted into the sport after taking his daughter to a show. He’s now hoping to put on a performance of his own.

“I would like to go through all three rounds, at least,” he said. “If I do get a knockout all the better! I am not nervous, I think it will be a really good night. I’ve got friends and family coming and it’s all for a good cause.”

Training four times a week, Cobb enjoys being around a varied bunch and he said: “They have embraced me like a family, it is a real good gym to be in.

“It has been a really enjoyable experience training out of Kent Gloves and I would say to anyone to go there and train. It’s a really nice place and everyone makes you welcome there.

“They have people there aged five right the way up to 55, it’s a great bunch of people.”

Another busy night of boxing awaits. Gary