Winning in the Ring and Beyond

Former professional boxer Tony Jeffries, who won a bronze medal for Team GB at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, has opened up about how popstar Robbie Williams had a profound impact on his life.

A Friendship Formed through Training

After retiring from boxing due to hand injuries, Jeffries opened his own boxing gym, Box 'N Burn, in Los Angeles. It was there that he had the opportunity to train Robbie Williams, who was looking to get in shape for touring. The two formed a strong bond during their training sessions, with Williams inspiring Jeffries to give up alcohol.

Inspiration to Quit Alcohol

Jeffries shared, "Robbie wanted to switch up his regime and start to do boxing in his everyday life. I worked closely with Robbie for all of 2019 and even trained him in 2020. Working with Robbie was great, and he inspired me a lot. I quit alcohol because of him, and I haven't drank for four years now. I have a lot to thank Robbie for, and we became good friends."

The Training Regimen

Jeffries explained that their training sessions focused on boxing fitness, with every session being boxing-oriented. Although Williams expressed interest in sparring, they mainly did body sparring. Williams saw great results from the training and even reported improved performance on stage.

The Benefits of Boxing

According to Jeffries, boxing is not only great for physical fitness but also for mental well-being. He stated, "Boxing is great for your everyday feel-good factor. It's physical but also mental. When you're not being punched in the face, it's fun. It's great for your mind as well as your body."

A Missed Boxing Matchup

In 2019, Robbie Williams challenged his long-time rival Liam Gallagher to a boxing fight. However, despite fans' excitement, the bout never materialized.

Adapting to Change

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, Jeffries was forced to close his gym in 2020. However, he has since found success with his YouTube channels, which have amassed a total of 4.5 million followers.

Follow Tony Jeffries' YouTube channel here.