The sound of gloves hitting pads and the rhythm of skipping ropes filled the air as The Real Boxing and Fitness Gym officially celebrated its reopening on February 7 in Bardene.

The reopening marked an important milestone for the gym, which has grown steadily from a small passion project into a recognised community-based training space focused on discipline, fitness and youth development.

The gym is co-founded by former professional boxer Danny De Oliveira, whose love for the sport has shaped the vision and direction of The Real Boxing Gym since its inception.
De Oliveira explained that the gym was established three years ago to create a safe and structured environment where people of all ages could train, learn and grow through boxing.

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“We started The Real Boxing Gym a few years ago. We were based in Ravenswood for two years, and during that time, we built a solid foundation.
“Now we have moved to Bardene because we want to grow the gym even further and reach more members of the community.”

De Oliveira’s personal journey in boxing began at the age of 15, a path that eventually led him to the professional ranks.
He turned professional in 2019 and competed until 2023, gaining valuable experience inside the ring. Although he has since stepped away from professional competition, he says boxing remains a lifelong passion.

“Boxing has always been something I’ve loved. It’s more than just a sport. It teaches discipline, respect and mental strength. Boxing is the greatest sport in the world, and it is also one of the best forms of fitness.”

The Real Boxing and Fitness Gym operates as a community-based training club and is open to members from the age of seven. The gym caters to beginners, fitness enthusiasts and aspiring boxers alike, offering a structured and supportive training environment. Training sessions take place from Monday to Friday between 05:00 and 19:00, with Saturday sessions running until 13:00.

According to him, the gym is not only about producing boxers, but also about shaping lives. A key focus of the gym is its amateur boxing programme, which is aimed at supporting underprivileged children and young people.

“This programme is our way of giving back. We work with amateur boxers, especially children who come from difficult backgrounds. We take them off the streets, bring them into the gym and give them something positive to focus on. Here, they find discipline, structure and a sense of purpose.”

Parents and community members attended the reopening event to show their support, highlighting the important role the gym plays in the area. The event also acknowledged the contributions of local businesses that have partnered with the gym to ensure its sustainability.

De Oliveira expressed his gratitude to the sponsors who supported the reopening and continue to support the gym’s work. These include Meat World, Germiston Brake and Clutch, Moniz Electrical and CNT Towing.

One of the sponsors present at the reopening was Meat World. Sales representative Trudy Sibande said the decision to support The Real Boxing and Fitness Gym was driven by a strong sense of community responsibility.
“We have been operating for over 30 years, and the support we receive from our customers has been huge. This sponsorship is our way of giving back to the community and saying thank you to the people who have supported us for so many years.”

She added that initiatives such as The Real Boxing and Fitness Gym play a vital role in community upliftment, particularly for young people who need positive spaces and role models.

As the gym settled into its new home in Bardene, De Oliveira said the vision is to grow the gym, develop talent and continue making a meaningful difference in the community.
“Our doors are open to everyone. Whether you want to get fit, learn boxing, or keep your child in a safe and positive environment, this gym is here for the community.”
For more information, contact 078 979 2785 or therealboxingsa@gmail.com. The gym can be located at 13 1st road Bardene.

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