Wayne Elcock, British, European, and WBU World Middleweight Boxing champion, will be running the very first leg of the day as The Queen’s Baton Relay begins its tour of Solihull in Castle Bromwich. A fearsome fighter in the ring, ‘Mad Dog’ has taken the hard work and dedication that brought him so much success and applied it within his community since his retirement.
His professional career saw him take 19 wins from 23 fights, including victories against top quality opponents like Howard Eastman and Scott Dann. He is rightly considered a Birmingham and West Midlands boxing legend. Whilst he would have had every right to put his feet up after such a sterling career, Wayne’s passion for his sport and his community have seen him go on to great success since retiring from in-ring competition.
His award-winning Box Clever programme was credited by local police for slashing levels of crime and anti-social behaviour in the wake of a tragic stabbing in 2012. For this work, he was given a police award in June 2013. Wayne runs the programme from his Gym at the St Andrews Centre in Chelmsley Wood, which is also home to his St Andrews Academy Amateur gym and his Kronk Birmingham Professional Boxing Gym.
Wayne continues to work with youngsters from all backgrounds, using his programme to teach them discipline, self-respect and healthy living. He is extremely proud to be participating in The Queen’s Baton Relay, saying:
“When I first heard that a major event like the commonwealth games was to be held in my home city of Birmingham for the very first time, I was absolutely buzzing, but then as a proud born and bred brummie to then be selected to carry the Queen’s Baton in the relay was unbelievable and I already know it will be yet another everlasting memory for me, my family and my friends to cherish I can't wait for the day to arrive”
For more information about community events taking place to mark the Queen's Baton Relay on Tuesday 26 July, click here.