Bredell coach changes lives through boxing
"I also want to be part of anti-bullying campaigns.”
Bredell boxing coach Brandon Sweetnam started coaching at the age of 20.
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“I started boxing when I was eight years old and started coaching to help other fighters when I was 20,” said Sweetnam.
For Sweetnam, his love of the sport is what inspired him to become a boxing coach.
He said that he wants to help fighters achieve what they want in the world of boxing.
Brandon said that when he was young, he never had an opportunity to become a world or SA champion in boxing but he managed to get a ranking because of the time he put into the sport.
His coach at the time didn’t have enough time to train him and this was one of the things that encouraged him to become a boxing coach.
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According to Sweetnam, since he started his career as a coach there are various challenges that he came across such as managing fighters and being a good coach to them.
“Boxing is hard work, it’s a lonely sport so there are a lot of emotions involved when it comes to coaching and managing fighters but they are like my family,” said Brandon.
There are several events which Brandon considers highlights in his career as a coach.
“I own my gym, Boxpit Bredell Boxing and I have won an appreciation award from Hammer Productions.
“I opened my gym to help young people from underprivileged backgrounds, those who are being bullied and those who are dealing with various addictions,” he said.
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He added that he had already helped two fighters and one of them will be fighting for a title soon while the other had been drug-free for three months.
“I wanted to create a family-orientated, safe gym and I feel like I have achieved it,” said Brandon.
In addition, he said that in future he sees himself growing his gym.
He told the Express that he has fighters he hoped to see turn professional one day.
“But most importantly, I want to see how many people’s lives I can turn around. I also want to be part of anti-bullying campaigns,” said Sweetnam.
He added that he loves everything about being a boxing coach.
“There is always something new to learn.”
Brandon said anyone who wants to be a boxing coach needs to work hard.
“Put in the hard work with your fighters, motivate them, teach them and always get your fighters involved with the decision making but most of all be there for them,” he said.
