STANFORD boxer ‘John’ Wayne Hibbert, who trains at Impulse Leisure Corringham, has claimed The WBC International Light Welterweight title. He beat Argentinian Leonardo Esteban Gonzalez, who had previously knocked out 15 of his 22 opponents.
The 29-year-old from Horndon has been training at Impulse Leisure Corringham for the past 18 months, as part of an agreement between Impulse and Spartans Boxing Club, Corringham.
Hibbert says: “A lot of good fighters have held this belt, and I’m proud to be the WBC Light Welterweight champion. I have worked long and hard for this title. I train at Corringham every day; a run in the morning and then strength training and conditioning three times a week. There’s a great atmosphere and the kit is brilliant, I’d never get that level of equipment in a boxing gym. Since I’ve been training there I’m the fittest I’ve been since I started fighting, so it must be helping.
“Every British fighter dreams of the British title. I’ve got a fight lined up to defend my new WBC title in January and then I’m setting my sights on becoming British Champion.”
Impulse Leisure provides Hibbert and his coach with free membership. Hibbert has also worked with the team at Corringham to create a large information board offering boxing tips and advice, which went up in the club last week.
David Griffiths, Leisure Manager at Corringham, says: “Wayne has been a great inspiration to many of our members at Corringham. His dedication and commitment to his sport has rubbed off, so much so that we now have a sign up in our Boxing area where Wayne has giving great training tips for our members to develop and improve either their boxing technique or to aid them reach their own personal goals.”
