Shadow boxing!

LORDS OF THE RING . . . Tara boxing trainer Jack Doughty (centre) is flanked by Darren Stubbs (left) and assistant trainer Gary Ford.

Doughty teaching duo the ropes
BOXING: VETERAN boxing trainer Jack Doughty has no intention of retiring from the sport he loves just yet — but has started grooming his eventual successors.

Doughty has run the Tara stable in Shaw for more than a quarter-of-a-century and, despite turning 80 on Boxing Day, is happy to press on.

However, assistant Gary Ford (38) and stalwart scrapper Darren Stubbs (40) have been earmarked to one day take the reins.

“This year I will be giving them both more responsibilities, with one eye on the future,” he said.

“Gary has assisted me for some time now and Darren, even though he is still fighting, has already started running keep-fit classes at the gym twice a week.

“I am going to carry on with the job for the time being but I want them to share more of the workload so they can eventually run the place.

“Darren is not retiring from boxing yet but, until there is a fight on the horizon, he can do other bits and pieces.”

Stubbs welcomes the extra responsibility and is enthusiastic about the future.

He said: “These are exciting times. I cannot talk about the ins and outs of it all, but the future is bright at the gym.

“A lot of people are interested in helping out financially when the transition does take place.

“I have a lot of ideas and I think it is going to be a big project. I started out as a novice and have had a good 12-year career, including a Prize-fighter appearance.

“What I want to do in the future is pass on the experience I have gained to youngsters in the area.

“Gary is an excellent trainer and I have the gift of the gab, so when the time comes I am sure between us we can make a success of running the gym.

“We are enjoying the extra work around the place and when we step up I am sure we can make a go of it.”