Knock-out: world champion Joshua Buatsi (left) with his former coach and mentor Terry Smith, with a prized Lonsdale belt
More than 100 members, past and present, of the South Norwood and Victory Amateur Boxing Club gathered this week for a special reunion to honour the club’s founder and long-time coach, Terry Smith.
At 85 years old, Smith has dedicated almost six decades of his life to guiding young boxers and helping them develop in the ring and as individuals.
The reunion was a heartfelt occasion, with attendees travelling from across the country and messages of support pouring in from around the world, all expressing their gratitude for the impact Smith has had on their lives.
Among those present was Joshua Buatsi, the world light-heavyweight champion and 2016 Olympic bronze medallist, who started boxing at the club as a teenager. “Terry didn’t just teach us how to box, he taught us how to be better men,” Buatsi said, back at SN&VABC’s Charnwood Road gym.
Smith founded South Norwood and Victory ABC, just off the Holmesdale Road, in 1979, with a vision to not only train boxers but to offer a safe space where boys and young men could develop important life values like discipline, respect and perseverance. “Over the years, he has become a mentor and role model to countless individuals, shaping their futures well beyond the sport of boxing,” according to a club official.
Champions: some of the many belts won by boxers who started out at South Norwood and Victory ABC under coach Terry Smith
“The values he instilled in me — discipline, resilience, respect — are things I carry with me every day, both in and out of the ring,” Buatsi said. “I owe him so much.”
Mark Gillespie, a former multiple junior champion and now a coach at the club, who organised the reunion, paid tribute to Smith’s influence in and out of the ring.
“Terry has been like a second father to me,” he said.
“Beyond his incredible dedication and expertise as a boxing coach — helping us develop our technical skills and passion for the sport — Terry invested in us as people.
“He taught us life lessons that went far beyond boxing, instilling in us a sense of personal pride and self-worth.
Reunion: members of South Norwood and Victory ABC, past and present, gathered to pay tribute to club founder Terry Smith
“He taught us how to carry ourselves with discipline and respect, how to handle failure, and how to support one another both as athletes and as people. These were lessons in resilience, responsibility, and leadership that have stayed with us for life and positively influenced both our family and work lives.”
Other members echoed similar sentiments, emphasising how Terry’s influence helped them navigate personal challenges and grow as individuals. One long-time member, recalled: “When I first joined the club as a kid, I was heading down the wrong path. Terry believed in me when no one else did, and he gave me a sense of direction. That’s something I’ll never forget.”
The reunion also highlighted the lasting impact of South Norwood and Victory ABC on the local community. Messages from former members who couldn’t attend in person came in from as far away as Spain and Thailand, underscoring the reach of Smith’s legacy.
Smith, clearly surprised by the event and the mass affection shown to him, said: “I never expected anything like this. All I ever wanted was to help these boys find their way, both in boxing and in life. Seeing them all grown up and doing well – it’s the best reward I could ask for.”
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Great, great, great story that warms the heart and gives us hope. A story that transcends race, class and modern miseries. Thanks IC.