When he first discussed his plans to set up a boxing club to bring together people from all faiths, cultures and backgrounds and to tackle knife crime and other issues through the medium of sport, we could not resist standing shoulder to shoulder with him in his quest to support local disenfranchised youth with positivity.
Watford has generated a high-risk assessment for violent crime. Levels of violent crime have increased by 12.7% in recent years and Watford also ranked second highest in its county, Hertfordshire, for violent crime. The new boxing club will hopefully become a safe space for people to enjoy themselves and have fun, and at the same time learn useful life skills and thereby help reduce the rates of delinquency and violent crime in the area.
Commenting at the launch of the boxing club on 10th September 2020, Saud Hafiz said, “Having worked with young people for over 15 years I have gained a useful set of skills to raise aspirations and help individuals aim higher. ‘Dream it, believe it and achieve it!’ I live by this saying and I have a firm belief that impossible is nothing.”
