"I can't give up" says 10-year-old Warwickshire boxer, despite heart condition
Charlie from Leamington Spa has a heart defect meaning he can't fulfil his dreams of being a professional boxer
A ten-year-old boy from Leamington Spa has turned his attention to coaching after being told he cannot risk being hit in the chest, because of a heart defect.
Charlie's condition meant he had surgery at just two hours old and had open heart surgery just a week later. Charlie has since recovered and attends regular check-ups.
Charlie's dad Kurt said: "He was getting really into his boxing, polishing up his skills, he was doing really well, his confidence had gone up. Charlie asked if he would be able to box competitively and he was told no.
"I was expecting a meltdown - he was disappointed but he took it so well. Me and his mum cried all the way home because of how happy we were."
Charlie should have made his competitive debut two weeks ago, but instead coached his fellow boxers at that same event.
Charlie said: "I was thinking to myself, I can't give up. There's a lot of kids in the gym and I like coaching them, so I want to be a boxing promoter as well."
Despite the disappointment, Charlie has gone on to make a difference, and started raising money to get a defibrillator installed in his boxing gym. After a sponsor stepped in to donate a defib, the family has decided to invest the money into first aid training for the kids at the gym.