More than 50 years after first stepping into the ring as a nine-year-old in 1972, veteran coach Boetie Lourens continues to invest his time, money and experience in young fighters at Hugenote Boxing Club in Brixton.

At Hugenote Boxing Club, the photographs on the walls tell stories of victories, champions and generations of fighters who have passed through its doors. For Lourens, they also tell the story of his life. The photographs and memorabilia at Hugenote remain a powerful reminder of the people who have shaped his journey. Those memories have accumulated over decades of training, competition and coaching. He remains part of the same boxing community, now helping young fighters develop the skills, discipline and confidence needed to succeed inside and outside the ring.

Although Lourens has spent more than 20 years coaching, his relationship with boxing began long before he took on that responsibility. His competitive career included several interruptions. He started boxing in 1972, stopped in 1976, returned briefly in 1979, and resumed amateur boxing in 1984. In 1996, he turned professional. He recorded 17 professional fights, winning 14, including 11 by knockout, but despite his record, he never became a South African champion.

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Lourens said the professional landscape at the time made it difficult for fighters to secure opportunities to challenge established champions and progress to international competition. After training for a year without getting a fight, he decided to walk away from the professional ranks to help young boxers find their footing in the ring.

His commitment to boxing is not limited to training sessions. Lourens said he has regularly paid expenses from his own pocket to help boxers attend South African championships, covering costs such as transport and accommodation when they could not afford them. He believes it is an investment that goes beyond the immediate demands of the sport, as he believes a talented boxer should not lose an opportunity simply because they lack the money to travel or find somewhere to stay.

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For Lourens, boxing is as much about developing character as it is about preparing for a fight. Respect, discipline and self-control are the values he wants every young boxer to learn. Lourens may no longer be the young boxer who first entered the gym in 1972, but the purpose that keeps him there has not changed. He wants to see young fighters develop, compete and become champions.

He also wants them to leave the gym with values that will serve them long after their boxing careers end. His own professional career did not deliver the South African title he hoped for, yet his work as a coach has allowed him to contribute to the achievements of others.

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