Amy is a Commonwealth featherweight champion and undefeated professional boxer. Together with her husband, fellow boxer Numan Hussain, and former world kickboxing champion Jon Durrant, Amy opened Rival Boxing Gym on Caledonian Road in April 2024. She tells us how she got into boxing and how she’s making Rival a space where everyone feels welcome

My journey into boxing wasn’t traditional. I used to be a journalist and was asked to write a piece on boxing. I signed up for a white-collar fight to help tell that story. I trained hard, and it sparked a love of boxing that has stayed with me. I got into amateur boxing and won the English and New Zealand titles, before turning professional.

Opening Rival Boxing Gym was a long-held dream for me, Numan, and Jon. When we found this space on Cally Road, we knew it was the perfect location. Islington has a rich boxing history and Cally has a vibrant, community feel about it. We all live locally, too.

The gym has two floors. Upstairs, we focus on boxing, from beginner classes to pro-level training. Downstairs, we’ve got mixed martial arts (MMA), which has a thriving local scene. Two local girls recently became junior world champions. Thanks to the Cally Traders’ Association, we’ll soon be installing a state-of-the-art MMA cage, which will be a total game-changer. I was so happy I cried when I found out.

We’ve worked hard to make our gym welcoming to everyone. We run women-only classes and free Saturday sessions for 11- to 20-year-olds with disabilities and plenty of programmes for kids.

I know how intimidating boxing gyms can feel, so it’s important for me that we provide opportunities for everyone to give it a go.