'Boxing saved me' says the ex-con unearthing young stars at his Sheffield gym

Reagan ‘Dynamite’ Denton had it all. The fast cars, the women and the money.

It all came crashing down when he was charged with involvement in 36 armed robberies in Sheffield but escaped conviction on a technicality, eventually serving two and a half years for his involvement in the theft of high value cars.

But, he says ‘boxing saved me and boxing made me’.

Sheffield care worker 'kicked in the face' by police who mistook him for a wanted man

His own career saw him win 18 from 19 fights, taking the Yorkshire Amateur Champion title and being offered a shot at a European title by Frank Warren at the age of 17.

Now, running a successful boxing gym in a former primary school on the Manor Estate in Sheffield, Reagan works with more than 400 local kids every week – 23 of them being newly ‘carded’ at amateur level and ready for competition honours.

One of Reagan’s stable of young fighters has already been talent-spotted by Frank Warren.

Call for apology as celebrity chef and Yorkshireman James Martin uses Worcester sauce instead of Hendersons in television shoot near Sheffield

“We’ve got some real stars among this group and there’s some names of the future to look out for”, says Reagan, smiling with pride.

“I went to this school myself, so it’s got sentimental value to me and it’s great to see it still serving the community”.

De Hood Boxing Centre & Community Hub is now a registered charity and Reagan’s recipe for diverting young lives away from crime, drugs & anti-social behaviour has the backing of Sheffield Council, the local police & crime commissioner and the newly formed South Yorkshire Violence Reduction Unit.

“I see myself in every one of these kids, says Reagan. They learn, respect, discipline and dignity in their lives and that makes a me feel good. I made all the mistakes, so they don’t have to”, he adds.