London's Boxing Eye : Johnny Eames and the TKO Gym - Hidden Gems

Paul Foley takes an inside look at East London’s TKO gym.

As you walk along the streets of Newham, East London anywhere near the 2012 Olympic site it is nigh on impossible not to notice the endless amount of building working in progress.

What only a few months earlier resembled and resounded rubble now bears the fruit of many men’s labour. It can be easily forgotten that much of this building took place largely unnoticed. While the city was at rest skilled men began to embark in their craft, and one day many would comment on and even admire a quality finished product.

Commuters and residents who pass by the Stephenson Street headquarters may be surprised to know that inside the walls of its premises, men of the pugilistic nature are sharpening their skills, all in the hope that when they are unleashed into battle, victory will be their reward.

Founder and trainer East End’s very own, Johnny Eames is part of what he calls the team. “It’s not about me, it’s about everybody else.”

Eames has had his fair share of notable achievements, having trained the likes of Graham Earl and Kevin Lear. Current Eames’ trained Matthew Marsh and Tony Oakey have tasted domestic title success and could soon be gaining title glory again if their previous form is anything to go by.

TKO first started in Broad Street then moved to West Ham and Newham Amateur clubs before current sponsors Ultrachem came on board with ready cash. Eames was promised his own gym by them and they continue their funding by helping to pay the £1000 per week running fees.

Johnny first struck up his love of boxing as an 11-year-old and like many was handed a beating for starters. But the sport he likens to a drug in that it’s hard to put down once you’ve picked it up has now grown into him being a professional trainer for ten years.

Eames has an ethos of respect and equality for anyone who works alongside him. “I don’t call them an assistant, they work with me. I’ve never called anyone an assistant and never would. It’s disrespectful.”

Johnny can often be heard laughing and sharing a joke during training and while working the corner and says he like to keep a bit of humour.

Johnny, Jimmy Tibbs, Derek Grainger and Jason Rowland all grace the floors of a gym who are hoping to host the 2012 GB Olympic boxing team.

A fine example of what goes on behind closed doors was seen just a few weeks ago when one of TKO’s very own, Kevin Mitchell, showed Amir Khan and the rest of the boxing fraternity how to tame a lion named Breidis Prescott.

It was a performance that had long been coming and deserved for a gym where no one man alone is looking for the credit. (It’s quite ironic considering it was his mentor Jimmy Tibbs who schooled Mitchell and not Eames himself.)

As you take the stairs and on reaching the top, pull open the door you suddenly enter a well spaced and welcoming gym. With three rings, numerous punch bags, running machines and stationery bikes there is no reason (or excuse) for any TKO member to be out of shape.

Add to this a squat rack, dumbells and bench press (for those who want the David Haye look!) reveals variety is certainly the spice of TKO’s life.

But what good is all this equipment if the atmosphere is not right?

The good news for TKO is they don’t have that problem. On my recent visits I’ve always seen a great camaraderie amongst the fighters and trainers alike.

Johnny is a talkative, passionate man who tells it like it is and gladly leaves his office door open. On beginning a conversation it’s not too long before someone may begin running across the gym to turn down the pounding sound of garage music if Johnny is to be heard. (I suppose being heard is the key to makings of a good trainer.)

The love for garage music stems from Eames being involved in the Eighties phenomenon of Acid house. “I had a pirate radio station called Centre-force. It was one of the largest in England, certainly London and a night club called Echoes in Bow.” (About three miles from the gym.)

So for a man who has had more than a few bob (money) in his time what fuels him?

“I’m not motivated by money. I want the fighters to achieve and that is different for all of them. I want to get the best out of everyone and take them as far as they can go.

“Any given day you can come here and witness world class sparring.”

Does Johnny think anything could be added to the gym?

“I would like a little more money and would love some funding from the local council. If any of the local schools need help with their pupils’ behaviour they are welcome to talk with us.”

Eames says the fighter makes the trainer and doesn’t think it’s very likely you can turn a journey man into a world champion. “If I was given fighters like Freddie Roach, I would be a well-known trainer.”

While at present he hasn’t got any world champions on his books, Eames is constructing a place and people worth looking at and listening to.

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