Born To Box

For Steve Burke, the owner of The Armoury Boxing Club, boxing is much more than a means to get fit and toned.

- Kristen Birch

‘The benefits of boxing go beyond the physical,’ says Steve. ‘It has the most benefits mentally – it is a transformational experience of mind-blowing proportions, and a story of adversity; the fears you have to overcome in order to fight are life changing.’

Growing up in the UK, Steve felt he would never meet his father’s expectations that he follow in his boxing footsteps. So he gave up the idea and joined the British army, becoming an officer in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

‘The IRA suddenly called a ceasefire, and we had to withdraw the men to base. They sat around doing nothing for a long time but they had to stay occupied and keep up their fitness, so I decided to get them boxing. They ended up winning the army’s boxing championships.’