Telford boxer Mustapha Mbye ready for the top

Mustapha Mbye has already achieved a great deal of success in his sport. With 57 fights and 44 wins before he’s even turned 18, it seems everyone in the boxing world will soon know the young man from Telford.

Telford Amateur Boxing Club sees up to 70 boxers train across both sexes, all ages and abilities. The club is based in Lumley Hall, Madeley, and has been here since 1974. Today, a set of young people are embarking on their first encounter with the noble art through the BoxWise programme—a ten-week introduction to the sport—skipping in the converted yard because there just isn’t enough space inside.

Coaches Linzi and Simon run a busy gym. Some fighters are here for fitness and camaraderie, while others hope to follow in the steps of the World Champions, Olympic medallists and Team England boxers who came before them.

I’m here to see Mustapha Mbye. As I enter the club, Coach Simon greets me. I tell him I’m here to see the boxer, and he goes off to find him as if people turn up to interview him every week.

A young man follows Simon back out. Over the next 90 minutes, I get a feel for Mustapha, how his coaches and peers view him, and his obvious personality and charisma.

Mustapha came to Telford a few years ago from inner-city Birmingham. “I had a few too many fights outside the ring,” he says. He found a second home at Telford ABC, having boxed competitively since the age of eight.

Before he goes off to glove-up, he proudly shows me the sponsor logos on his shirt. He knows the owners by name and goes through each one in turn. Each is sharing in the journey of this promising young man.

The air is thick with sweat and commitment. Coach Linzi, a tattoo studio manager by day and a qualified boxing coach in every other waking moment, takes me over to the Hall of Fame on the far wall. About 30% of the photos are a referee holding up Mustapha’s arm as he wins another medal.

I shoot a bit of video of Mustapha doing bag work. He has the Nationals coming up later this month and is planning to do well. “We’re all fighting to see who’s the best and I’m going to come out on top.”

Mustapha has a confidence that doesn’t come across as cocky. It’s almost like he is looking back on a life that has already been lived. He knows what’s coming and is just letting me know. His smile and charisma are infectious. You can’t help but admire and will him to do well.

Colleague and friend Tyler joins us. They spend a lot of time together. Tyler has been to a few clubs in the area but settled on Telford ABC, where he feels at home. He’s just about to embark on a career in the Armed Forces.

I started to say to Mustapha that he was well respected at the club, but Tyler cut me short. “Everyone respects everyone at this club.” Right then and there, the club ethos was explained better than I could have done.

We finished with a piece to camera with Mustapha. This was straight from the heart, as genuine as it gets. It’s hard to find this kind of self-belief, especially in someone who isn’t quite yet 18.

Sometimes we need reminding that World Champions can come from round here. Richie Woodhall and Liam Davies did it. After meeting Mustapha, I don’t think it’s ended yet.

Follow Mustapha on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@doatheboxer