0:00:33 > 0:00:36Boxing is one of the toughest of all sports.
0:00:39 > 0:00:42It's controversial and many doctors think
0:00:42 > 0:00:45it's so dangerous it should be banned.
0:00:46 > 0:00:50It's always been a sport for boys and men, not girls.
0:00:50 > 0:00:52But now that is changing.
0:00:57 > 0:00:59This year, for the first time,
0:00:59 > 0:01:03women will be boxing in the London Olympics.
0:01:03 > 0:01:06And the next generation of young girl boxers
0:01:06 > 0:01:09is already stepping into the ring.
0:01:11 > 0:01:14Some of their friends aren't sure about it.
0:01:14 > 0:01:15I think it's scary.
0:01:15 > 0:01:20Someone, like, on purpose trying to injure you.
0:01:20 > 0:01:22And many parents don't like it.
0:01:22 > 0:01:24I've tried to talk her out of it,
0:01:24 > 0:01:27but it is what she really wants to do.
0:01:27 > 0:01:30But the boxing girls love it.
0:01:30 > 0:01:32When I'm in a ring, I forget everything,
0:01:32 > 0:01:36and I just sort of go for it and not care.
0:01:36 > 0:01:38You get this good feeling inside.
0:01:38 > 0:01:40You're a bit scared of, like, people hurting you and that.
0:01:40 > 0:01:42But I do get a whole buzz out of it.
0:01:42 > 0:01:44It is quite a big part of me now.
0:01:44 > 0:01:49When I'm boxing, I feel like I'm in a different world or place.
0:01:57 > 0:01:59This teenager is about to do something
0:01:59 > 0:02:01that would terrify most of us.
0:02:01 > 0:02:04Stay focused. You're going to win!
0:02:04 > 0:02:07In a few seconds, she'll be boxing another girl
0:02:07 > 0:02:08in a win-or-lose battle.
0:02:08 > 0:02:10My name is Courtney.
0:02:10 > 0:02:13I'm 14 and I'm a boxer.
0:02:21 > 0:02:25Courtney's been going to the boxing gym for ten months.
0:02:25 > 0:02:27When I first started going,
0:02:27 > 0:02:29I wouldn't go without my make up on,
0:02:29 > 0:02:31and when I sweat it goes like that, all down my face.
0:02:31 > 0:02:33And I thought, "I'm not going to fight if I don't have any make up."
0:02:33 > 0:02:36And I had to change a bit and just get used to it.
0:02:36 > 0:02:37She's had a tough upbringing.
0:02:37 > 0:02:40She fell out with her mum,
0:02:40 > 0:02:42ran away from home and now lives with her great-grandma.
0:02:42 > 0:02:46- So are you going now? - Yeah, so I'll see you later.
0:02:46 > 0:02:48If I had had a fancy life, I wouldn't have been a boxer.
0:02:48 > 0:02:53I'd have probably been, like, doing ballet or something.
0:02:53 > 0:02:54Not boxing.
0:02:55 > 0:02:58Courtney trains at Macclesfield Boys Club
0:02:58 > 0:03:00and it's become a second home for her.
0:03:00 > 0:03:02The gym is like my normal week,
0:03:02 > 0:03:05cos I'm there three days a week
0:03:05 > 0:03:08and then I go running with them on a Tuesday.
0:03:08 > 0:03:10Donna is Courtney's coach.
0:03:10 > 0:03:14Remember, you're going in with a floppy angle, it will break your thumb.
0:03:14 > 0:03:15She's very good. She is. She is just
0:03:15 > 0:03:17getting better and better each month.
0:03:17 > 0:03:19Two! One! Yeah! Go!
0:03:19 > 0:03:21She's very, very dedicated.
0:03:21 > 0:03:22Sometimes I don't think she wants to go home.
0:03:22 > 0:03:25Not that she don't want to go home, I think she still wants to be in here!
0:03:28 > 0:03:3340 miles away, another girl is training for her first bout.
0:03:33 > 0:03:35My name is...Demi, I'm 14
0:03:35 > 0:03:37and I'm a...boxer.
0:03:44 > 0:03:47We are at a gym in Sheffield,
0:03:47 > 0:03:51and it's where I train four or... five times a week.
0:03:51 > 0:03:56Cos I've got a stutter, I, like, stammer some...times.
0:03:56 > 0:03:58She didn't really notice it
0:03:58 > 0:03:59as being a problem until
0:03:59 > 0:04:01people started saying,
0:04:01 > 0:04:03"Oh, you, you stutter."
0:04:03 > 0:04:07I were like really down about myself.
0:04:07 > 0:04:09I didn't have enough confidence.
0:04:09 > 0:04:12I...I wouldn't really talk to my family. I were that quiet.
0:04:12 > 0:04:14And then, as soon as I started doing boxing,
0:04:14 > 0:04:19it, like, brightened me up and I felt so much better.
0:04:19 > 0:04:22Demi started going to a local gym after her granddad suggested
0:04:22 > 0:04:26she should take up martial arts to boost her confidence.
0:04:26 > 0:04:31From that, I did, like, I did the boxing sessions as well
0:04:31 > 0:04:37and I took that up and, like, first session on, and I loved that more.
0:04:37 > 0:04:38When I started doing boxing,
0:04:38 > 0:04:41it's like I had found something what I wanted to do.
0:04:43 > 0:04:46My goal is just to train hard,
0:04:46 > 0:04:48be positive
0:04:48 > 0:04:51and get ready for, like, fighting as an amateur.
0:04:51 > 0:04:54And Demi's coach believes she's on track for a contest.
0:04:54 > 0:04:56Because she's progressed so fast,
0:04:56 > 0:04:57now she's in a stage
0:04:57 > 0:04:59where we think, we all believe
0:04:59 > 0:05:01that she's in a competition level.
0:05:01 > 0:05:04So she's got the skill, but she'll also need to prove her fitness
0:05:04 > 0:05:09and that she can pass a stringent medical before she's able to box.
0:05:11 > 0:05:14But not all the boxers in this gym have taken up
0:05:14 > 0:05:16the sport in order to compete.
0:05:16 > 0:05:18One girl took up boxing after being bullied.
0:05:18 > 0:05:21My name is Lucy, I'm 14 and I'm a boxer.
0:05:29 > 0:05:31When I started, I got sparring
0:05:31 > 0:05:33and every time I hit someone,
0:05:33 > 0:05:36like, if it was too hard, I'd say sorry to him.
0:05:36 > 0:05:38And everyone just used to laugh at me.
0:05:38 > 0:05:41It's kind of embarrassing when you look back now.
0:05:41 > 0:05:43Lucy's natural hair colour is red.
0:05:43 > 0:05:46They find it funny, so they'll say names to you.
0:05:46 > 0:05:48It just lowers your confidence sometimes.
0:05:48 > 0:05:50And sometimes, you just feel like, "Oh, shut up for once."
0:05:50 > 0:05:52It feels like you need to do something about it,
0:05:52 > 0:05:56and that's where I thought - boxing, it teaches self-defence.
0:05:56 > 0:06:00So if I did get in worse trouble, I'd know how to defend myself.
0:06:00 > 0:06:04But Lucy has to be careful about how she uses her new-found skills.
0:06:04 > 0:06:07Her gym has very strict rules.
0:06:07 > 0:06:10Everyone is like, "Oh, boxer, boxer. Go on then, I'll have you. Fight."
0:06:10 > 0:06:12And all this, like, messing about.
0:06:12 > 0:06:14We are not allowed to start fights or pick on people
0:06:14 > 0:06:17because the things what you learn in the gym, need to stay in the gym.
0:06:17 > 0:06:20But if we did, then I think we'd get quite in trouble,
0:06:20 > 0:06:22and maybe even get kicked out of the gym.
0:06:22 > 0:06:24Because that's not what you're learning for.
0:06:24 > 0:06:26Lucy doesn't want a full-on fight
0:06:26 > 0:06:29but the tough training and discipline in the gym
0:06:29 > 0:06:31has made her feel more confident about herself.
0:06:31 > 0:06:34Have you seen a different side to
0:06:34 > 0:06:35those at school that were doing that?
0:06:35 > 0:06:37What are they like now with you?
0:06:37 > 0:06:39They just get along with me normally now.
0:06:39 > 0:06:42I showed them that I'm not really bothered no more.
0:06:42 > 0:06:44Well done, that's brilliant.
0:06:44 > 0:06:49Boxing is potentially quiet dangerous and we all know that.
0:06:49 > 0:06:51But you've got to take that risk if you want to start boxing.
0:06:51 > 0:06:55Boxing gyms have experienced coaches with strict rules
0:06:55 > 0:06:58and they make sure everybody sticks to them.
0:06:58 > 0:07:00Nice and easy without hurting anybody.
0:07:00 > 0:07:05Boxing training teaches skills and fitness but it can still be risky.
0:07:05 > 0:07:08One clip in the wrong place, then you could be seriously injured.
0:07:08 > 0:07:11All amateur boxers have to wear protection.
0:07:11 > 0:07:14If we're sparring using headshots or if we're boxing,
0:07:14 > 0:07:17we use a headguard to protect our head.
0:07:17 > 0:07:19We also have chest guards.
0:07:19 > 0:07:21And put in gum shields
0:07:21 > 0:07:22to protect the mouth.
0:07:22 > 0:07:24We wear wraps on our hands
0:07:24 > 0:07:26to stop them being damaged.
0:07:26 > 0:07:27And we also put gloves on.
0:07:27 > 0:07:31Even so, some people still think boxing should be banned.
0:07:33 > 0:07:36Courtney's choice to box has surprised many of her friends.
0:07:36 > 0:07:38Some of my friends were like,
0:07:38 > 0:07:40"You won't box. Look at you, look at your make-up,
0:07:40 > 0:07:42"look at how short your skirt is."
0:07:42 > 0:07:48She's been through hard times and that's made Courtney tough.
0:07:48 > 0:07:49So it was me and my mum,
0:07:49 > 0:07:51and when she was 19, she got married
0:07:51 > 0:07:52and she had two children.
0:07:52 > 0:07:55We were moving around a lot.
0:07:55 > 0:07:58And I went to six different schools.
0:07:58 > 0:08:00It was pretty tough.
0:08:04 > 0:08:06'Going to six different schools
0:08:06 > 0:08:09'put it a bit out of me and my mum.
0:08:09 > 0:08:11'We fell out a lot
0:08:11 > 0:08:16'and I ended up moving in with my gran.'
0:08:16 > 0:08:20And that was just before my 12th birthday.
0:08:21 > 0:08:25'It's given me a secure place to live with my gran.'
0:08:25 > 0:08:27Gran! I'm back!
0:08:27 > 0:08:28What sort of a day have you had?
0:08:28 > 0:08:30It was all right, cos my teacher wasn't in
0:08:30 > 0:08:33and the teacher didn't know what he was doing, so he said we could do anything.
0:08:33 > 0:08:35And I had no homework to do, so I drawed.
0:08:35 > 0:08:39In the morning, we don't speak while she's having her breakfast
0:08:39 > 0:08:40and then she tittles off upstairs
0:08:40 > 0:08:42and I don't see her again till she says,
0:08:42 > 0:08:45"Right, I'm going to school now." And off she goes.
0:08:45 > 0:08:49- We do talk in the morning a bit. - It's very bit.- We do.
0:08:49 > 0:08:53- If I'm in a good mood.- You're never in a good mood in the morning.- I am.
0:08:53 > 0:08:57It's different than, like, how my friends are, but I feel better now
0:08:57 > 0:09:01because it's not such a hassle and there's much to think of.
0:09:01 > 0:09:04It's been a weird upbringing.
0:09:05 > 0:09:08- I wouldn't like to watch you go to fight.- But you would.
0:09:08 > 0:09:11I could go, but I'd probably be sat there going,
0:09:11 > 0:09:12"Oh-ooh!" You know...
0:09:12 > 0:09:16Like you do when you're watching something horrid on the telly.
0:09:16 > 0:09:18- "Ooh!"- Ha-ha-ha!
0:09:18 > 0:09:19So she does love me, really.
0:09:19 > 0:09:24- I've always loved you. I just don't like you at times, let's be honest. - Ha-ha-ha!
0:09:24 > 0:09:25With no mum at home,
0:09:25 > 0:09:28Courtney's second family is now down at the gym.
0:09:28 > 0:09:31She loves to be here cos we love her being here.
0:09:31 > 0:09:34I think she actually feels she's wanted.
0:09:34 > 0:09:35You know what I mean.
0:09:35 > 0:09:37I think that's what's done a lot for Courtney as well.
0:09:37 > 0:09:40She's definitely found something.
0:09:42 > 0:09:48In Sheffield, Demi too finds something special about training.
0:09:48 > 0:09:51I love getting up in the morning, knowing that I've got boxing.
0:09:51 > 0:09:54The good thing about Demi is she trains very, very hard
0:09:54 > 0:09:59and she's earned respect from everybody within the gym.
0:09:59 > 0:10:04When I'm boxing, I feel I'm in a different world or place.
0:10:04 > 0:10:07Don't smile at me. Eh...don't smile.
0:10:07 > 0:10:09Demi's coach Rash wants more girls
0:10:09 > 0:10:11to come through the doors of his gym.
0:10:11 > 0:10:14A lot of the girls tend to see
0:10:14 > 0:10:15a gym full of boys
0:10:15 > 0:10:19and I think that sometimes is the obstacle for us.
0:10:19 > 0:10:22Lucy was definitely put off at first.
0:10:22 > 0:10:24When I walked in I thought, "Oh, there's going to be a few girls."
0:10:24 > 0:10:26And it was just full of boys.
0:10:26 > 0:10:29During the week, we train with the pros
0:10:29 > 0:10:33and you'd see all these big, muscly men up here
0:10:33 > 0:10:37punching bags and absolutely whacking them.
0:10:37 > 0:10:40And you'd be quiet scared, to be honest.
0:10:40 > 0:10:43But once they've made the first step of coming into here,
0:10:43 > 0:10:47and having a feel of the really good environment, where everybody is not bothered
0:10:47 > 0:10:48what gender you are, what colour you are,
0:10:48 > 0:10:52they tend to feel, you know, it's not as bad as I think it is.
0:10:52 > 0:10:54And after a bit, you get really used to it
0:10:54 > 0:10:56cos everyone just sticks up for you.
0:10:56 > 0:10:58And it's just like your brothers.
0:11:00 > 0:11:03At weekends, the gym is handed over to beginners.
0:11:08 > 0:11:11But for the rest of the week the training is pretty full-on.
0:11:11 > 0:11:14Demi and Lucy are often the only girls there,
0:11:14 > 0:11:17so it's not surprising they stick together.
0:11:17 > 0:11:20They're now close mates, although it wasn't always like that.
0:11:20 > 0:11:23- I didn't like you at first, ha-ha! - No!
0:11:23 > 0:11:25I wouldn't know I'd, like,
0:11:25 > 0:11:28come into her gym, if you like.
0:11:28 > 0:11:30And then, I don't know, we just started talking and then...
0:11:30 > 0:11:33- Now, look.- Yeah. Friends.
0:11:36 > 0:11:38There's no room for slackers in a boxing gym.
0:11:38 > 0:11:40It's fun but it's also a serious business,
0:11:40 > 0:11:42especially when, like Courtney,
0:11:42 > 0:11:46you're building up to a big contest.
0:11:51 > 0:11:52You sign in and then do a 20-minute run.
0:11:52 > 0:11:54Then, go on the bag.
0:11:56 > 0:11:58Then, you might get called over to do pads.
0:11:58 > 0:12:01In the space you do two, I want four.
0:12:01 > 0:12:04But fast! See. Get speed!
0:12:04 > 0:12:06Donna is lovely. She's always there.
0:12:06 > 0:12:09If I get upset, she'd be there.
0:12:09 > 0:12:11Is there anything that you're worried about?
0:12:11 > 0:12:14- Erh...- The parry?- Yeah.
0:12:14 > 0:12:16Like any other sport, there's a lot to get right.
0:12:16 > 0:12:18If Courtney's going to have a chance of winning her bout,
0:12:18 > 0:12:21she's got to learn how to protect herself,
0:12:21 > 0:12:23how to move fast and dodge the punches.
0:12:23 > 0:12:26So Donna doesn't let up with her training.
0:12:26 > 0:12:29So you knew you need to step to the other side, don't you?
0:12:29 > 0:12:31But if you're stepping in, cos you do step in,
0:12:31 > 0:12:33you've got to remember you've got to step back out again.
0:12:33 > 0:12:37She's dead scary sometimes, but she's lovely.
0:12:38 > 0:12:40All boxers are given a stringent medical
0:12:40 > 0:12:43before they're even allowed in the ring.
0:12:43 > 0:12:46For Demi, that means a whole lot of prodding and poking.
0:12:46 > 0:12:48Fail this examination,
0:12:48 > 0:12:50and however skilful she is,
0:12:50 > 0:12:53Demi might never be allowed to box competitively.
0:12:53 > 0:12:54Good. Well done.
0:12:54 > 0:12:57When training is finished and you're ready to fight,
0:12:57 > 0:13:00you'll get a doctor in to medical you up.
0:13:00 > 0:13:02Again, it's important obviously not to have
0:13:02 > 0:13:03any problems with your ears.
0:13:03 > 0:13:05Particularly perforations,
0:13:05 > 0:13:06which can affect
0:13:06 > 0:13:07your balance as well.
0:13:07 > 0:13:09So we just need to check those ears.
0:13:09 > 0:13:11You worked hard for it.
0:13:11 > 0:13:13They're always saying, "You won't pass it",
0:13:13 > 0:13:15but it's not a very nice thing to hear.
0:13:17 > 0:13:21Another important part of boxing is what you look like
0:13:21 > 0:13:22but the outfits aren't cheap.
0:13:22 > 0:13:25Courtney's great gran doesn't have the cash to kit her out,
0:13:25 > 0:13:28so Donna and fellow boxer Beth have a surprise for her.
0:13:28 > 0:13:32- Look at my name on it. That's hot. - Ha-ha!
0:13:35 > 0:13:37- Oh!- Do you like them?- Yeah.
0:13:37 > 0:13:38Basically, what we've done is
0:13:38 > 0:13:42we had a sponsor for Courtney from the veg shop in Macclesfield.
0:13:42 > 0:13:46They gave us £100 so we've been out and sorted her some shorts out.
0:13:46 > 0:13:47Oh, thanks!
0:13:47 > 0:13:50But if you want some tassels, we'll sort that out for you.
0:13:50 > 0:13:53- We didn't know if you did or you didn't, so we didn't put them on. - Yeah.
0:13:53 > 0:13:57But we could, it's no worries, we can sort tassels out, no mither.
0:13:57 > 0:13:59Donna hopes the better Courtney looks,
0:13:59 > 0:14:02the better she'll do in her upcoming bout.
0:14:04 > 0:14:05Am I hearing all right?
0:14:05 > 0:14:08- Yes, absolutely. Can you hear me? - Yeah.
0:14:08 > 0:14:10Demi's medical is complete
0:14:10 > 0:14:12and it's good news.
0:14:12 > 0:14:14OK, Demi. That was very good.
0:14:14 > 0:14:17- I think you're perfectly fit to box. - Yeah, that's great.
0:14:17 > 0:14:19- Thank you.- OK.
0:14:19 > 0:14:23She's qualified as a fully-fledged Boxing Girl.
0:14:23 > 0:14:26But there's something else that might stop Demi boxing
0:14:26 > 0:14:28finding the right opponent.
0:14:28 > 0:14:30You're limited, because of your age
0:14:30 > 0:14:32and because of your weight,
0:14:32 > 0:14:35and because with you being...with you being a girl,
0:14:35 > 0:14:37there's no many girl boxers.
0:14:37 > 0:14:42All she can do now is wait for her coach to find a match.
0:14:42 > 0:14:43It could take months.
0:14:43 > 0:14:47But there's definitely no let up in her training.
0:14:47 > 0:14:50Sparring is an important part of our training.
0:14:50 > 0:14:53It's when you practise in the ring with another boxer.
0:14:54 > 0:14:59When you are sparring, trainers outside the ring, they'll say,
0:14:59 > 0:15:03"Look, calm down. You're not to start a war or anything."
0:15:03 > 0:15:06It's just about showing how good you are
0:15:06 > 0:15:09by practising everything you've learned.
0:15:12 > 0:15:14Demi spars with Lucy.
0:15:14 > 0:15:17Best mates don't usually go all out to hit each other.
0:15:17 > 0:15:19But it's different if you're a boxer.
0:15:19 > 0:15:23We don't think less of each other just cos we're sparring.
0:15:23 > 0:15:25In a way, it can make us closer,
0:15:25 > 0:15:28cos we're, like, sparring but we've still got respect.
0:15:28 > 0:15:30It's for each other at the same time.
0:15:30 > 0:15:32And plus, it's not really bad, is it,
0:15:32 > 0:15:34cos that's what you're meant to do in boxing.
0:15:38 > 0:15:40Courtney's bout is a few weeks away.
0:15:40 > 0:15:43She's stuck sparring with boys which isn't easy...
0:15:43 > 0:15:45for the boys, that is.
0:15:46 > 0:15:49Courtney can throw a good punch,
0:15:49 > 0:15:52and I've seen her catch lads, and the lads looked as if saying, "Wow!"
0:15:52 > 0:15:53You know what I mean?
0:15:53 > 0:15:56And I've seen him give it her back and she's took it.
0:15:56 > 0:15:57When I first started,
0:15:57 > 0:16:00I didn't really want to hit her that hard.
0:16:00 > 0:16:05But I can hit her harder now because I know she's a tough girl.
0:16:05 > 0:16:09If she gets to hit me once, I think she'll get my nose broken.
0:16:09 > 0:16:12Yeah. Not keeping my guard up, so she punishes you for that.
0:16:12 > 0:16:14This is a hard sport.
0:16:14 > 0:16:16In a boxing ring there's nowhere to hide.
0:16:16 > 0:16:19Sometimes, she's the one who catches you out.
0:16:19 > 0:16:22So you'd get punched in the belly, but...
0:16:22 > 0:16:26you soon get over it, cos after a bit, you just get really used to it.
0:16:26 > 0:16:30And you're hitting them back anyway, so it's not like it's not fair.
0:16:30 > 0:16:33Some of Lucy's friends have seen her sparring
0:16:33 > 0:16:35and they don't like the look of it.
0:16:35 > 0:16:37I think it's scary.
0:16:37 > 0:16:40Someone on purpose trying to injure you.
0:16:40 > 0:16:43If I were there, I'd just cry.
0:16:43 > 0:16:46- Ha-ha! I'd just cry...- Ha! What!
0:16:46 > 0:16:48I'd just cry.
0:16:48 > 0:16:50Because she's a girl, people won't really think,
0:16:50 > 0:16:52"Oh, she's a boxer."
0:16:52 > 0:16:55And when you first look at her, she don't look very boxing, like.
0:16:55 > 0:16:59So... I don't think girls are, like,
0:16:59 > 0:17:02I don't think they shouldn't be boxers.
0:17:02 > 0:17:05But they should just be what they want.
0:17:05 > 0:17:07Model or boxer, whatever you want to be.
0:17:09 > 0:17:11Demi has made her mind up on what she wants to be
0:17:11 > 0:17:14and nothing gets in the way of her training.
0:17:14 > 0:17:17For her birthday, I said, "What do you want to do?"
0:17:17 > 0:17:19And she said, "I want to go the gym."
0:17:19 > 0:17:24And she laughed and said, "Well, we can do...do something after,
0:17:24 > 0:17:27"but are you sure you want to go to the gym for you...your birthday?"
0:17:27 > 0:17:32And I said, "Well, yeah, I won't miss gym, just cos it's my...my birthday."
0:17:32 > 0:17:36# Happy Birthday to you
0:17:36 > 0:17:39# Happy Birthday to you
0:17:39 > 0:17:44# Happy Birthday, dear Demi
0:17:44 > 0:17:48# Happy Birthday to you. #
0:17:48 > 0:17:50She actually said when we got home,
0:17:50 > 0:17:52"It was the best birthday I've had."
0:17:52 > 0:17:54One press-up, come on!
0:17:54 > 0:17:57ALL: One! Yeah! Two!
0:17:57 > 0:18:00One more! And three!
0:18:00 > 0:18:01Stop showing off! We only said one!
0:18:01 > 0:18:04And Demi has another birthday treat.
0:18:04 > 0:18:07Together with Lucy, she's been given the chance to train
0:18:07 > 0:18:09with the man who started this gym
0:18:09 > 0:18:11and has worked with world champions
0:18:11 > 0:18:14like Prince Naseem Hamed.
0:18:14 > 0:18:16His name is Brendan Ingle
0:18:16 > 0:18:19and if he says sing, you sing.
0:18:19 > 0:18:21BOTH: # I can sing a rainbow
0:18:21 > 0:18:24# Sing a rainbow... #
0:18:24 > 0:18:27The singing helps the girls build confidence and move like dancers,
0:18:27 > 0:18:29which means they can avoid being hit.
0:18:29 > 0:18:33Your hands, your feet, your eyes, your voice are all in one.
0:18:33 > 0:18:35Coordination.
0:18:35 > 0:18:38Boxing is not one of the hardest sports,
0:18:38 > 0:18:40it is the hardest.
0:18:40 > 0:18:41And if you want to do it,
0:18:41 > 0:18:43you've got to admire them.
0:18:43 > 0:18:47When someone like Brendan complements you, it makes you feel good inside
0:18:47 > 0:18:49it makes you want to train harder.
0:18:49 > 0:18:51BOTH: # I can sing a rainbow
0:18:51 > 0:18:53# Sing a rainbow
0:18:53 > 0:18:55# Sing a rainbow too. #
0:18:58 > 0:19:01Courtney's trying to put on weight to help her boxing.
0:19:01 > 0:19:04All my friends, they are like, they want to lose weight
0:19:04 > 0:19:06and be dead skinny.
0:19:06 > 0:19:08And I'm like, "Well, I need to eat, just leave me alone."
0:19:08 > 0:19:11Donna's tried to get her to cook more balanced meals
0:19:11 > 0:19:13and keep off the takeaways.
0:19:13 > 0:19:16I try and eat healthy sometimes.
0:19:16 > 0:19:18I have, like, salads and things like that.
0:19:18 > 0:19:20But everyone needs a break sometimes.
0:19:20 > 0:19:22Oh, I love chips! Mm!
0:19:22 > 0:19:25- You're trying to put on weight. - Yeah, that's why I'm eating chips.
0:19:25 > 0:19:26Ha-ha-ha!
0:19:26 > 0:19:29Courtney might be ignoring Donna's dietary advice,
0:19:29 > 0:19:31but her gift has made quite an impression.
0:19:31 > 0:19:34I have my own shorts. It has my name on!
0:19:34 > 0:19:35Oh, really?
0:19:35 > 0:19:39Like, I didn't know about it. They've been planning it for months. No-one told me.
0:19:39 > 0:19:41I got a sponsor or something, I don't know.
0:19:41 > 0:19:43But they bought them.
0:19:43 > 0:19:46- A sponsor?- Yeah!- That's awesome!- Me!
0:19:48 > 0:19:50Demi's coach hasn't managed to find her an opponent,
0:19:50 > 0:19:53so her best mate Shannon drags her away from the gym
0:19:53 > 0:19:55and to the nail parlour.
0:19:55 > 0:19:58For Demi though, it's toe nails only.
0:19:58 > 0:19:59So are you a girlie girl or
0:19:59 > 0:20:02a tomboy or...?
0:20:02 > 0:20:05- I'm a girlie girl outside the gym. - Yeah.
0:20:05 > 0:20:09- But then in the gym, I get sucked into it.- Yeah.
0:20:09 > 0:20:11Because a lot of people have said,
0:20:11 > 0:20:13"Oh, you're a pretty girl, you shouldn't be fighting."
0:20:13 > 0:20:16I think that's made her more determined to fight.
0:20:16 > 0:20:19They always do opposite anyway, don't they?
0:20:19 > 0:20:21Have you ever hurt your hands?
0:20:21 > 0:20:24I've just had a few scars on my hands, but that's it.
0:20:24 > 0:20:28When you first get scars, it bleeds. But it just, like, hardens over.
0:20:28 > 0:20:31It hardens your skin, so you don't bleed, it just scars.
0:20:31 > 0:20:34Shannon just doesn't get boxing.
0:20:34 > 0:20:35If I knew what to do, I'd go.
0:20:35 > 0:20:37If I knew how to spar...
0:20:37 > 0:20:40She'd come if she could get out of bed.
0:20:40 > 0:20:42- I'm not that lazy.- No.
0:20:46 > 0:20:50Lucy took up boxing just to get fit and feel confident
0:20:50 > 0:20:52but she's made a big decision,
0:20:52 > 0:20:56although breaking the news to her mum isn't going to be easy.
0:20:56 > 0:21:00I want to get better and then, I think, once I progress on that,
0:21:00 > 0:21:02I might start thinking about fighting.
0:21:02 > 0:21:05- You won't watch, will you?- I'll never be able to watch you do that.
0:21:05 > 0:21:08Why wouldn't you want to watch me fight?
0:21:08 > 0:21:12Because I wouldn't want anybody to hurt you, that's why!
0:21:12 > 0:21:14- I'd want to hurt them, wouldn't I? - Yeah.
0:21:14 > 0:21:18I really want to get better at my techniques and footwork and everything first,
0:21:18 > 0:21:21cos I want to go in the ring really confident
0:21:21 > 0:21:23and know that I'm really good at it.
0:21:23 > 0:21:24Practice makes what?
0:21:24 > 0:21:26- Perfect.- Perfect, OK.
0:21:26 > 0:21:27Practice makes perfect.
0:21:27 > 0:21:29'Cos if you go in and you're not really ready,'
0:21:29 > 0:21:32that's when you'll get caught and lose your fights,
0:21:32 > 0:21:33then you get put off.
0:21:35 > 0:21:38A few days ago, Demi got the news she's been waiting for.
0:21:38 > 0:21:42Her coach has found an opponent and the bout is tonight.
0:21:42 > 0:21:45- Are you nervous?- No, I'm excited.
0:21:45 > 0:21:48- So we've got your gloves...- Yeah.
0:21:50 > 0:21:52Her mum likes Demi training... but not fighting.
0:21:52 > 0:21:55I'm a bit nervous about her having a fight.
0:21:55 > 0:21:59I've tried to talk her out of it but it's what she really wants to do.
0:21:59 > 0:22:02I think it'll be a great buzz.
0:22:02 > 0:22:04Atmosphere and all, I'll just enjoy it.
0:22:04 > 0:22:06Demi's in a skills bout.
0:22:06 > 0:22:09It's what new boxers do to get experience in the ring.
0:22:09 > 0:22:13The judges don't keep a score so there's no winner or loser.
0:22:13 > 0:22:15Apart from that, it's a proper bout.
0:22:15 > 0:22:17It don't really bother me.
0:22:17 > 0:22:22If I get a mark or broken nose or whatever, it doesn't bother me.
0:22:23 > 0:22:25It's what happens in a fight.
0:22:27 > 0:22:30OK, give me two minutes and we'll wait for them to finish.
0:22:30 > 0:22:32Demi's been working really hard.
0:22:32 > 0:22:35She's got everything cracked and seems to be set on it
0:22:35 > 0:22:38and I think it's going to be a good fight.
0:22:38 > 0:22:41The girl who wouldn't even talk to her family is about to
0:22:41 > 0:22:43box in front of a massive audience.
0:22:43 > 0:22:47It's the first time her mum and dad have seen her in the ring.
0:22:47 > 0:22:50She won't be scored but she's got a lot to prove.
0:22:50 > 0:22:52- Seconds out, round one. - BELL RINGS
0:22:57 > 0:23:01'At the event, there were 300 people and it didn't bother me.
0:23:01 > 0:23:04'I forgot about everyone, even my mum and dad.'
0:23:04 > 0:23:06Come on, Demi!
0:23:06 > 0:23:09'But I could hear people cheering me on so I felt good.'
0:23:21 > 0:23:23She caught me with a few jabs, knocked my head back,
0:23:23 > 0:23:25but I came forward a bit.
0:23:27 > 0:23:30Knowing what it's like to get hit and to give a punch as well,
0:23:30 > 0:23:36so I think I'd give it another go, but it hasn't put me off fighting.
0:23:36 > 0:23:38BELL RINGS
0:23:38 > 0:23:44She's done it! Her first ever bout and Demi boxed brilliantly.
0:23:44 > 0:23:46And she was a lot cooler than her parents.
0:23:46 > 0:23:49To see your daughter fighting in the ring, it's horrible.
0:23:49 > 0:23:53I was a nervous wreck about 20 minutes after.
0:23:53 > 0:23:55I've only just calmed down now, haven't I?
0:23:57 > 0:24:00Really proud of Demi cos it takes some guts stepping into that ring
0:24:00 > 0:24:02and actually fighting.
0:24:02 > 0:24:04With having that stammer, she would never have done that.
0:24:04 > 0:24:08And to come here now and fight in front of all these,
0:24:08 > 0:24:10there's a right difference in her.
0:24:10 > 0:24:13Demi's skills bout has made her all the more determined to
0:24:13 > 0:24:14keep on boxing.
0:24:14 > 0:24:17But has it put her friend off?
0:24:17 > 0:24:20I do want to have a fight. I think that's made me want to even more.
0:24:20 > 0:24:26What I'd say to Lucy is just to be herself, go into the ring
0:24:26 > 0:24:29knowing that you're going to put up a good fight and she'll be fine.
0:24:29 > 0:24:31And take her make-up off!
0:24:34 > 0:24:37Courtney's already had a skills bout -
0:24:37 > 0:24:40tonight it's a real contest, she'll win or lose.
0:24:40 > 0:24:45It's a proper bout and I want to win it. I'm up against a Polish girl.
0:24:45 > 0:24:48She's one kilo lighter than me and that's all I know about her.
0:24:48 > 0:24:51The other girl has only had a couple of fights,
0:24:51 > 0:24:53but she's got a good record.
0:24:53 > 0:24:56- You've come a long way, haven't you? - Courtney's quite a cool girl.
0:24:56 > 0:24:59I've seen lads that are more nervous than she is.
0:24:59 > 0:25:03She handles it really well. Don't knock me out, Courtney, please!
0:25:03 > 0:25:06Months of training for three short rounds.
0:25:06 > 0:25:10I've had a lot of tough times but I didn't give up.
0:25:10 > 0:25:15A big crowd, all fired up, and her opponent looks tough.
0:25:15 > 0:25:18Representing the Macclesfield ABC...
0:25:18 > 0:25:22This is one of the biggest nights Courtney's ever faced.
0:25:22 > 0:25:25Win or lose, boxing's a big part of my life.
0:25:25 > 0:25:28And so, the first proper bout of Courtney's life begins.
0:25:28 > 0:25:30BELL RINGS
0:25:40 > 0:25:42Courtney's taking some hits.
0:25:52 > 0:25:55But she's dishing out plenty of her own.
0:25:55 > 0:25:59Good girl! Good girl, Courtney!
0:25:59 > 0:26:01BELL RINGS
0:26:01 > 0:26:04- APPLAUSE - You did really well.
0:26:04 > 0:26:08Three hard rounds. Now it's up to the judges.
0:26:08 > 0:26:12Ladies and gentlemen, the judges' decision is unanimous...
0:26:12 > 0:26:14CHEERING
0:26:14 > 0:26:16She's good, she's better than me.
0:26:16 > 0:26:18- Well done.- It was very good. - You, too.
0:26:18 > 0:26:22She's lost, but there's no reason for Courtney to be downhearted.
0:26:22 > 0:26:26She did really well. She did. I'm just so happy with her.
0:26:26 > 0:26:29Even though she lost, that doesn't matter to me.
0:26:29 > 0:26:32And Courtney knows, together with her opponent, she's shown
0:26:32 > 0:26:35the level of bravery that all good boxers need.
0:26:35 > 0:26:36We got in the ring
0:26:36 > 0:26:40and we did something that other people wouldn't do.
0:26:40 > 0:26:43So yeah, it makes me feel quite proud that I got in the ring
0:26:43 > 0:26:44and did it.
0:26:46 > 0:26:50Courtney, Demi and Lucy are all determined to carry on boxing.
0:26:50 > 0:26:53They know it's hard, they know it sometimes hurts,
0:26:53 > 0:26:56but it gives them so much.
0:26:56 > 0:27:02I just feel like I'm in my element when I'm boxing. I feel at home.
0:27:02 > 0:27:07I feel like I can do anything. That's how I feel inside.
0:27:10 > 0:27:13It doesn't matter if I win or lose, I'm going to carry on anyway.
0:27:13 > 0:27:16Roy's been doing it for about five years.
0:27:16 > 0:27:19He's lost every fight, until last week he won.
0:27:19 > 0:27:22He hasn't given up and you gotta not give up.
0:27:25 > 0:27:30People think, "Boxing for girls?" But I just don't think about that.
0:27:30 > 0:27:35Do whatever you want because it's up to you, not anybody else.
0:27:35 > 0:27:37You choose your life, nobody chooses it for you.
0:27:43 > 0:27:45# I'm rich
0:27:47 > 0:27:49# Like a hot noise
0:27:50 > 0:27:53# Rich, rich, rich
0:27:54 > 0:27:58# I'll take you out, boy! #
0:27:58 > 0:27:59Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd