Hull's youngest boxing coach: Lightweight Harvey, 8, is a big hit at St Paul's Academy

HE IS just eight-years-old but Harvey Kemp is already staking his claim as the youngest boxing coach in the city.

Harvey, a pupil at St Richard's Primary School, has been teaching younger boxers at St Paul's Academy for eight months.

His dedication and technical ability saw him rise quickly up the ranks as one of the clubs promising young boxers.

Now he is giving his time back to the younger members by helping to develop their fledgling skills.

He said: "I started boxing two years ago and really liked it.

"I was really shy and quiet when I first came to the gym but it has helped me get more confidence.

"I was moved up to the next group and my little brothers are in the children's group, so I started helping out and I have been doing so since May.

"I really enjoy it.

"I like to teach them the things I learned.

"Because I am a boxer I can help them develop, but in turn, it also helps me to develop my boxing."

Like every other coach at the gym, Harvey will wander round during the session offering technical advice to the youngsters during shadow boxing or when they are on the bags.

He is also adept at working with youngsters on the pads to help them develop their punching skills.

Harvey said: "On the pads I can see what they are like with their basic skills, whether their feet are correct, looking at their defences and their shots."

Harvey is chomping at the bit to step into the ring himself to start his amateur career, but the Amateur Boxing Association (ABA) rules say he must wait for another two years.

For now, he has to make do with technical and conditioning sparring in training after getting his medical certificate.

Despite not being able to fight in the club's shows yet, he is at every one supporting his fellow boxers and cheering them to victory.

And he may only be eight, but Harvey already knows where he wants his boxing career to go.

"I want to be an amateur like Luke Campbell," he said.

"Having him at our gym gives everyone a boost because we know he has a gold medal."

Danny Snow, a coach at St Paul's who has been working with Harvey since he first joined the gym, said: "He has never had a day off. For someone this young he is a really good boxer.

"He is great with the kids, they see Harvey and where he is and they aspire to be like him and know they can do it as well, because he used to train in their session. He goes to the little ones and helps them, holds the pads for them and shows them basic boxing skills such as stance and guard and firing straight shots.

"For me, I love to see a boxer come through from being raw, developing and getting better, and that is what I have had with Harvey.

"When he first started he lacked confidence. Now he is going around the gym with the other coaches, talking in front of the group and not the shy and quiet lad who first came to the gym.

"Harvey puts his own time back into the gym, he doesn't have to do it but he does.

"He is fantastic."

Harvey helps out in two sessions per week for the younger boxers, his sessions include his twin brothers Lloyd and Callum, six, who enjoy having their big brother teaching them.

Mike Bromby, head coach at St Paul's, in Hull city centre, said: "Harvey is a real mentor to these younger children.

"His mum brought him to the gym a couple of years ago and really, because of how hard he worked, his discipline and the way he improved, we moved him up to the older session.

"He has got a really great work ethic for a youngster, is technically very good and he is very respectful in the gym. He is the ideal boxer, he listens to everything and gets on with it.

"He is a great lad."