How this 10-year-old blind boxer learned to punch

By Filipa Gaspar

A ten-year-old blind boy has taken up boxing after learning to 'punch by numbers'.

Archie Hayes has been taught how to move and strike his opponent using a series of numerical instructions from his coach.

For example, 'one' means jab, 'two' means cross, 'three' means hook and 'four' means upper cut.

Archie was born blind but that did not stop him from following in the footsteps of his brother Josh, 15, who is also a boxer.

He trains three times a week with his coach Andy O'Kane, 62, who calls out number combinations to guide Archie in the ring.

Andy, who has been a boxing coach for over 20 years at Paddy John's Boxing Gym in Bristol, says he is "really proud" to being able to teach a young blind boy how to box.

He said: "Archie is hard working. He pays attention, he soaks up every single thing you tell him and he picks it up really quick.

"He has been with us for 18 months and he can box - he understands boxing.

"He does everything that any young person involved in boxing does.

"Because he is blind he is having to put complete faith in what I tell him.

"He memorizes everything that I say to the point that if I make a mistake he will tell me.

"I'm really proud that a blind young boy can be included in the sport and in this club."

Archie was born blind but it took doctors seven months to get a full diagnosis.

After several tests the little boxer was diagnosed with Leber's Congenital Amaurosis (LCA) - a rare, inherited eye disorder that affects the retina.

Archie uses punch bags and pad work for his training, but also does sparring sessions with fully-sighted colleagues.

Andy added: "I was starting to do little bits with him and then he really got interested and his dad asked if we could make this a regular thing and that's what we did.

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"It was about trying to get him to be part of the club as well.

"Now he comes into the classes and he trains and the other kids are completely oblivious to it - they don't have any issue.

"The fact that he can't see doesn't change anything."

Archie said: "I like it because it makes me really strong and powerful.

"Boxing teaches you to become tough because I'm punching bags and stuff."

Dad Fred Hayes, 37 and mum Natalie Hayes, 40, said they have never "wrapped Archie up" and have always allowed him to do what he wants.

Mrs. Hayes said: "He was born blind so we don't know any different to everybody else so that's his way of life.

"It doesn't affect him that he can't see, he is happy the way he is.

"I call him the champ."

Mr. Hayes added: "Me and mum have never wrapped him up, we have just let him get on with it.

"He is got to learn with it.

"There's nothing that can be done to bring Archie's vision back at the moment but we don't know what the future technology might bring.

"He is happy the way he is."

Archie, who often tune in to hear boxing combats, says he is hoping to keep doing boxing for a long time.

He said: "It's really fun.

"It's a good sport and I like hearing it on the telly."

He has also had the chance to meet some big names of the boxing world including Tyson Fury, Joseph Parker and Conor Benn.

Andy concluded: "If that sends out a message to other blind kids that wanna they can try their boxing club then that's fantastic.

"It's nice to think that boxing can move on and the coaches have got open minds.

"I'm really proud that he chose our club."