George Klimek was just six years old when he first became interested in boxing, inspired by his dad who was himself an amateur boxer.
In 1992, aged 13, he joined his local club in Poland and started fighting a year later. Over the next six years, he had 67 amateur fights, losing just 14 of them, and won both a European Bronze Medal and a Polish Youth Silver Medal.
Five years at university saw George achieving first a bachelor’s degree in physical education and then a masters in sports psychology before he made the move to the UK in 2005.
After gaining his LVL 1 EB License, he began his coaching career began in 2014, initially at Olimpic Boxing Club in Bolton and then two years later at Premier Boxing Club.
Now an LVL 2 EB coach with a BBBofC pro license and approved by the Polish Professional Boxing Department through the European Boxing Union, he has been head coach at Bolton’s Amir Khan Boxing Academy since 2019.
“When I first joined the AK gym, it hadn’t been fully operational for more than eight years,” says George. “Amir Khan asked me to take over and bring it back to life again and I’m pleased and proud to say that we now have over 50 members, 16 carded amateur boxers and five professionals.”
Two of the latter – Brazilian-born Jeriel D’Angelo Martins and Andrus Da Silva – have now moved to the UK and are managed by Scott Calow, who says: “I’m delighted to be working with George and see this not only as a great link for both of us but also one that will give me the opportunity to expand up north.”
In addition, George coaches Tal Singh (49kg), Asad ‘Iron Fist’ Riaz (70 kg) who has had five pro fights to date and Ferdinand ‘Tyson’ Sztojka (69kg).
“As an amateur boxing coach, I’ve had three national champions and a European silver medallist,” adds George. “ Our fighters here have also won 12 north-west regional championships and boxed in six international tournaments which saw no fewer than 14 boxers all coming home with a medal, winning 10 gold, two silver and two bronze.
“Whenever I’m asked what my goal is as a coach, the answer is always the same – to go as far as possible, to make sure the journey is an adventure for all concerned, whether they’re fighters or fans, and above all to do everything I can to change the lives of our boxers, both amateur and professional, for the better.”
The Amir Khan Academy is located at Premier House, Prince Street, Bolton BL1 2NP – to find out more about the gym and its boxers, contact George by email or call 07481 102421.
scottcalowboxing.com 