How Max Clark Opened His Own Boxing Gym at 18

[music] Right, everybody. Welcome PT Launch Lab episode 20. Max Clark. Uh what? Go on, Nate.

Tell us what your uh your new boxing gym. >> New boxing gym. Uh Clark's Boxing Academy. Um I've opened it. I opened it about 3 week ago now and uh we're just getting all the stuff in and that. So yeah, >> quality, bro.

Well, what we'll do is we'll start right from beginning, mate, like I've just been saying to you beforehand. >> So, has boxing always been the sport that you've chose or did you have other sports in school? How old were you when you started? >> I started when when I were like when I were like three year old started football really. >> You meant boxing then? >> No. No. Three year old. started football um as a kid and then as I got older I started I were really good when I were younger um really good football and then as I got older started moving into boxing about age >> about age 11 I've been doing about 8 year now 8 year yeah started age 10 age >> um and then as when I started training boxing just took over massively um and uh yeah loved it ever since I quit football when about 13, 14 and uh >> exactly the same as me. >> Yeah. 13. >> Oh, no. Sorry.

I I I played football until I were about 18. I think I playing under 21s at Pony Calls. >> Well, when you get to that age, 13, 14, and everyone just starts like the levels improved massive. So, when I were like a little kid, I were like one of the best. And then as I got older, >> everyone started taking over and I feel like just naturally better at boxing now. >> Did you uh So, what age did you start actually boxing? I started boxing at 11 2019 August 29th. >> And you started football first. >> I started football first and for the first two years.

Um I got into boxing because on my mom's side of the family there were a bit of boxing. Um and my mom never never let me go boxing. She would so >> behind [snorts] my mom's back for two years until she found out we used to tell her we're going football training and we used to go boxing. No way. Me and me old man.

Um >> but but yeah. So um m this is com well it's not off topic but uh be sort of off off side of of your story but how old do you think you should be when you start boxing ju this is coming from two points of view here so >> I think there's going to be different variables for it but >> for you as a boxing coach as well. >> Yeah. >> How old did you start training people? >> The youngest person I've got five. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. The youngest person I've >> had listen I've had younger than that. Right. >> And I've had >> it for different reasons. Some great coordination, discipline, love all that.

Uh, it's all great. Some kids really tech to it, others >> shiny object syndrome. So soon as >> you get distracted the minute you don't give them a second of attention, the running punching bag and it's it's a nightmare. >> Very hard. >> I mean, when you when I first started and I needed clients, like I'd take everyone with me. I'd like a 2-year-old change. You know what I mean?

Just whatever whatever tries to pay the bills. >> Yeah. >> Uh for whatever bills I had back then. For me now, I do try I prefer him to be a bit older. >> So they've got more of an attention span. So then I just run it. Yeah. >> And I think you do get you do get the odd uh the special one for sure, don't you? Like I I used to train some and they were four or five years old and >> they could really put it together. >> And I've got so much uh time for that as well.

And I know you should put equal time into everyone, but um >> there's also a point I think sometimes I'm going to say mainly the mothers. Like I don't want to offend anyone but I feel like sometimes they do it cuz it's like they feel like the boys should do boxing. >> I was just about to say to you then at that age five and six it's not that you don't get any five six year olds that say I want to box you know the parents pushing them. >> I think having kids sparring and going oh look I've got like I've got a little lad that trains away in it actually he goes to Ireland. >> How many fights has he had now? >> He's had about eight fights [laughter] >> and he's the barbarian. He's 9 year old. Shout out Co. But when you get to that age, I don't 9 8 years old getting your head smashed in every week sparring all over.

Ido once a week sparring. >> What age are you actually officially be able to Is it 11 to be able to be >> 10? You've got to be an amateur boxer. Yeah. >> But in Ireland, >> is that only for skills boats? >> No. No. At 10 you can compete.

At 10 you can compete. But in Ireland it's different. So that's why Cohen has gone all the way to Ireland and traveled over there and stuff. Unlicensed it's different. You see his first his first fight with Co.

He thought a lot of dude had 14 14 bouts. 14 >> Yeah, that's what I mean. >> Sopages or something. >> Yeah. Yeah, that's what I mean. Like I feel like you shouldn't really be fully I feel like eight seven to eight years old, you can start training, start doing a bit cuz at 8 years old, you start to listen, but I wouldn't have them sparring no more than once a week. >> I feel like sometimes when I feel like I'm in there as well. >> And again, not everyone's saying, but you feel like do you ever feel like just babysitting? Yeah, because [snorts] >> like like the sessions, it's not about boxing like they could be doing >> like I can remember when I used to do sessions, I used to change them then and put a lot a lot very game orientated coordination stuff in and I quickly realized that >> the boxing weren't the interesting bit. It never were the most fun which I completely understand >> but it's hard for parents to understand that.

And they also I also get dads as well who come in and >> I don't know the kid might not be struggling might be struggling at school. might be what quote unquote a naughty kid, which we all can be because they shouldn't be trapped in in school. Like I don't believe that kid should be trapped in school like that. But >> do you know they come in and like he's going to rape whack on him. I'm like that's what like literally I've heard that. >> Yeah. >> And I feel like that's a bad way to look at it. Like if you think he's already aggressive or I feel like >> I don't want to train people and then go at school and become a bully.

Like I'd prefer to be other end of that. I feel like as a PT as well, if you're training someone, the parents just think you should look after them no matter what. If they running around the ring and they're screaming or they're going on something that shouldn't be, that's your responsibility. I say it to my dad all the time. Like, I'm here to train them.

I'm not here to babysit them, man. It's with a few kids, you know what I mean? But you've got to >> It is hard. Like, it is hard. >> And what And I know obviously we're going to go more into it, but I know you run a kids class at the minute, don't you? So, what ages does that vary then? >> That is age 8 to 12.

Um, and then I've got a youth class which is a teenagers, but I wouldn't have anyone under the age of eight because the attention span's not I couldn't train a 5-year-old. I could never do a one one to one for an hour for a 5-year-old. >> I used to have cuz I used to have they were two or three um like members of like sort of staff or free coaches, however you want to word it. Um because I had in and that then we had Jay and stuff because we had that we we could have ages right from five all the way up to 14 and we used to split them into um little groups and that were good. But like now if I get them I sort I have to turn them away cuz they're just too young. >> That'll come on um >> just cuz they're too young and but even for myself now like all lads joke all other PTs cuz I'll always pass some sessions on like who is it? And I'll be like it's a 5year-old [laughter] again. >> Yeah, that's it.

They only train like eight young people now because I just can't I can't do it. >> It is is a lot. I still training me. But I feel like as I get older, once the [snorts] gym starts to develop and if I have people working for me and stuff, I I do what you do. It's it is very hard training kids. >> Like we said, when you get when you get the ones that are into it, >> like when didn't matter didn't matter what age I were, what whatever sport I were in. Yeah. >> I'd give 100% me.

And it's same I think same with even the yacht lads now who were like 12 13 like some of them again they feel like I think it's the parents feel like they should do it or they want to do it that like just want to tell people at the box but >> I just it completely different to when I were boxing again. I'm not saying every kid will but like some of them like they just just missing that little bit of drive and you can see which ones are going to go. >> You know what that is don't you? because of because of that because of Xbox and that I have so many kids that come in and they're like like honestly I say to all my clients at the end of the session have you enjoyed the session like 85 90% of them but then you've got them kids that like teen like 10 11 12 >> like as soon as I finish training them they're straight on that >> it's uh it's >> and that's why the that's why job we're in it'll never die though good uh fortunately for us and what [clears throat] I feel like will happen is >> it'll go around a loop yeah I think So [clears throat] where everyone's trying to be an online PT now, >> you can't hold pads behind a computer, can you? No. >> And there's always going to be a line of people who want to train like that. So >> I think that's another thing as well. >> Sorry, [clears throat] mate. >> With It's all right with with little kids and stuff cuz it's hard to train them and like you said, using different methods like not just boxing. All they expect little kids is just pads and to hit the pads and stuff.

And at that age, I I understand like it's hard to learn them technique and and talk them through things. But I feel like a lot of clients, not even just like little kids, teenagers and adults, just expect pads all the time. It's not it's not just pad work. Do you know what I mean? I might be good on the pads, but >> so much more in there. >> And do do you feel like do you know like the videos obviously post? >> Yeah. >> That uh like people see that like I see watches with Kaden and like anyone who's going to watch that's going to be like I want to do. >> You know what I mean?

It's very like audience gripping, isn't it? So, >> I feel you think people are going to come in and that's all they're going to be doing, don't they? >> Yeah. Because >> Yeah. >> I mean, that's not your fault for wanting that% because I'm posting it, but >> just cuz I'm really good on the pads like so much more. Ben Davidson, you know, Anthony Josher, he he said it the other day. You were like on an interview.

I watched an interview and they were like pads are good >> for getting your time and feeling good and stuff, but when you're on the bag and you're shadow boxing, you've got to use that. Do you know what I mean? where pads I'm telling you what to do. >> So I feel like because I post a lot of pad work when people come in and I chuck them on the bag and tell them what to do. They're like >> Yeah. I always say to everybody when they shadow box cuz you'll have heard it hundred times as well. I don't like shadow boxing.

I don't >> Some people feel awkward doing it like if you can't shadow box you can't fight. That's all I always say. >> Conor Ben shadow boxing. Unbelievable mate all the time. He imagines his rotation. I say to people, I say shadow boxing is so important to like someone's in front of you, like when you're fighting someone, they're not going to go like, do you know what I mean? >> Yeah. 100%. >> Not want.

Yeah. Just stuff like that. Yeah. >> So, going from that then, mate, I know we we went off that I just think they're all perfect topics for especially what this podcast for. I think it's I think it's perfect. So, I knew we'd have that much to talk about, mate.

I know we'd have we could do fourhour podcasts and there'd be there'd be loads to talk about. So, we'll go back to some of it >> about your career, though. So, uh, and then we'll move into into the gym side of it, which is, um, hopefully, like I spoke to you earlier, inspiring for younger generation of people who want to come through, be PTS or be coaches. Uh, so where where are you at your stage of your career with your boxing? >> So, 19 fights in. Um, I've won 12, lost seven.

Um, I've had a few bad decisions on the way, but that that's amateur boxing. Do you know what I mean? Some I've definitely lost. Um, I've boxed some really good kids. Um, fight fight in a week today.

So, I don't know when this podcast goes out, but >> uh, it'll be out this week, mate. So, yeah. >> Yeah. Um, fighting a week today on 5th of December, my 20th fight. Um, unlicensed. So, I've had I've had 15 amateur fights and I've had four unlicensed.

Um, and then next year after this last unlicensed fight, I'll be going back into the amateurs um, for a few years and then hopefully >> How many years you want to go back into amateur? I want to ideally you can't really put a time frame in it, but I really want to be turning pro end of 2027. So I've got another two years. Yeah. >> How many fights do you reckon you're going? >> I want at least 40 45. Yeah. 100%.

I'm 19 in now, which is all right. You're averaging like my first fight. Well, when you box uh Aiden Sheriff. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> So I'm at the >> shout out to Aiden. [laughter] >> My opponent had them fight and beat him the other day actually. Did they? >> Yeah.

Um, so I'm like averaging I've been having about six fights a year. So next year, obviously I've had a few holidays this year. I've had the gym. I've had I've had a lot of stuff going on. Next year, mate, I want a bit.

Absolutely. >> How many fights did you have beginning of this year though? Cuz we we we were like racing as a joke, weren't we? >> Yeah. Yeah, we were racing. I've had three fights this year. One free. >> Yeah. >> Um, this will be my fourth one, which in this is like my least busiest year. >> My fifth next year, mate. >> How many fights you want? >> This will be this uh this be my 22nd.

That' be >> you'll fly me by me though. Yeah. So >> when you turn pro and you're fighting what like once every couple of months? >> Well, I'm hoping like I'm not I've not really said it to to anybody. But >> yeah, >> this is probably this is the first time I've I've really mentioned it to be fair. Like I told most people I've told like close friends and family, but I'm applying for the pro after this fight no matter what.

Yeah. If they turn me away that I think that'll be me. >> Do you think? >> Yeah. It's quite hard to admit. I say that but it might just be because of frustration of it. Keep getting pushed back.

But things with me I'm 32. >> I've got two kids. Well, I think you should. Yeah, you fight next. Yeah. >> Yeah, it is hard, isn't it? >> If if they do the 12 fight. So, basically what happened is when I wanted to originally turn pro, I had the accident.

I broke my leg. >> Mhm. >> That were in January. And then in April, they changed the rules and they said you had to have a couple of amateur fights. So, I had the two fights that they asked. I had the two, then they said it had to be more, had to be five. >> I don't know why it's changed so much. >> Now, it'll have to be five and then they're apparently doing 12. So, >> I don't know why it's changed so much.

So for me, what what's what's for them to when I get to 12, what's for them to change again? They've changed three times in this year. So what about if I have these 12 fights? And they're like, you're too old to turn over pro now. >> Yeah. >> And I've just done all that and I've had all that brain trauma. >> What I think you should do is I think you should have a few more, not just one more. Push yourself.

And if it still don't go through, then that's your choice. >> This is the thing I always say is that I'm reply. I'm going to apply. But again, if it were if I knew it were 12, if I knew there would a benchmark for the 12, right? But they might change. >> I know it'd be too much. It'd be just too much for because back I wanted to come back after I had a few years off.

I wanted to have minimum 10 fights, five amateurs, five pros, maybe try and jump a ladder in somewhere and >> um see see where I'm capable of before I retired. >> Um I'd have had to have 12 amateurs before I even started the pro. >> And then you've got to do your pro license. You've got to wait for date. It's a lot >> and then you're not fighting as regular pros. >> Oh yeah. Nowhere near as regular. Um, >> so I'm like talking then even at max you're getting free pro fights a year. >> So that's your choice in it mate at the end of the day if you want to.

Yeah, >> it's entirely up to you. >> Yeah, that's I don't think I'd ever stop competing. I've literally had this conversation with me dad this morning cuz he said what would you do cuz I need to be doing something m I've always got to be competing. I've fought in that many different martial arts and >> um I don't know if I go back to grappling if I jump and do a tie boxing. I I'd always been doing something competing. I'd end up running an iron man or something but >> yeah [clears throat] >> as it stands I don't know if it's cuz I've had quite a busy year >> to what I normally do cuz I I would nothing like you mate like how dedicated you are and stuff again spoke only spoke speaking to me dad this morning like how fast you've improved from when when I used to train you anyway >> I know mental is it >> yeah I mean you're piecing me up inspire other [laughter] days >> we uh I'm not like trying to blow me own trump but I I do put it in you know what I mean your dedication level is is coming back in mass reward.

So whereas I used to fight >> I'd fight and then it would have sort of an age where no one really were doing it like now a lot of people do it though for Facebook which again >> 100% loads of people >> again you're not that person but as Facebook were just starting now we're having my first I didn't care about I didn't care about profile pictures I used to go and people do it for money as well I thought I used to fight I used to walk off without me purse used have to send it from Liverpool they used to be like you've left you cash again >> I fought cuz I loved it >> and I've never done Love it. >> I took that one on a on a on a day's notice like earlier this year. >> They put it on Facebook or I'm not even bothered bothered cuz I'm I'm there cuz I love I love competing. >> It's like me, mate. I absolutely I I love it. Do you know what I mean? Even if they want no social media or stuff for me, it's box. Of course, I would like you still box >> even even you know my dad quite well.

Me and my dad the amount of sessions we've put in behind closed doors like yesterday like no cameras, no nothing. I just absolutely put the work in Friday, Saturday nights, going out running, getting earphones in. I do it cuz I love it and uh >> um I love the training and I feel like >> I've not achieved nowhere near what I want to achieve at all. >> But how much how much sacrifice has involved like for me >> is what is what was saying is that >> I I were fighting and then I have three months off unless I had unless I had a fight set up I would even fight. [snorts] I swear to God and and I wish I didn't. I wish I look back and you have regrets. I've always had good I've always had good businesses going on successful businesses always been love the PT side of it always had big ambitions whichever career path I've chosen I'm very much impulsive if something comes up I like to chase that or I want to be MMA fighter know I'm going to do boxing I've always sort of been like that when you've fully 100% dedicated to the sport and I've always said to everyone I think you can go as far as >> that's I'll have a fight I when do I box I box a week today I'll be back running Sunday morning yeah 100% And >> that's one this is only this is probably the first year I've ever actually done this, you know, done >> and I've not been it's most I've been probably less I've been doing social media lately cuz >> um again I've not really mentioned anyone to this like I don't want it to come off bad like I've really I've not been motivated for this one like >> but I don't feel like you should have to be motivated to fight like no and you even put one on cuz I keep saying it as a joke.

There's no uh no I wake up in morning no motivation only discipline. >> It's true is it? I come back off me my my my holiday. >> So true. >> And I thought I just know I need to get this fight in. I want to get this fight in. Bit bit of closure on wherever it may be. Um I know I definitely still wait again.

This is just what's on me mind right now. I know when I fight me I'll have a couple of weeks old. I'll be dying to get back in and then I think I'm >> You have your highs and your lows, mate. Warn them, mate. I've had like even though I've I've lost seven times still still a fair few times.

You know what I mean? Mate, I've had so many lows like not even just that sparring and stuff like roaring me eyes out and >> you've just got to get through it. Do you know what I mean? That I say to uh you know Kieran Kieran Farrell don't me dad always says it to me. He says you've got to stick in the game.

You [snorts] don't stick in the game, you won't make it nowhere. Do you know what I mean? So even even on the tough days, I even say it to my clients if they've had a bad spa >> uh or stuff like that. Um you've got to stick in the game no matter what. It does get better.

Do you ever think Do you ever think when people see us as well, >> you know, like if any of our clients sparred you >> Yeah. >> Oh, and sometimes they can be a bit like there's no point. >> Um and obviously we go easy on them anyway. Sometimes that's also a weird one because you feel like saying, "Look, mate, I'm actually I'm going easy on you. I feel like I'm not, but >> I'd love to I'd love for them to see how many times I'd took beatings in past and how many how many times I had to keep turning up, keep turning up, keep turning up. Especially when I were doing MMA when I was a 17-year-old kid and all the gyms I full grown men and I were fighting full grown men. >> I know. >> I honestly the amount of beatings I took. >> Don't understand that. >> No, that made me that made me tough as well. Like again when you're first sparring you're getting remember when I were boxing SYD when I were younger >> and I getting sparred and you get aggressive you get that aggressive like tears >> mate I get I'm not even kidding you I'm not just saying that it's cuz if mate I get I cry sometimes cuz I get so emotional thinking about it >> that's not that's not cuz like I'm upset that's cuz I want like I want it.

You know what I mean? I still get like that now like if I go on a run so Wade don't he don't like people running before like before fights no out obviously he don't change anything fight week do you but he knows how my head is so he's like >> I need to keep me brain on it me so even if I'm going to walk or I'm going to run and I listen to some motivational things I could burst to tears but again it's because I'm not scared to lose me I just >> Tyson you see Mike Tyson scariest man in world crying before my first ever fight like we talked about I remember walking dog on my fu 20th of May 20 m I know all fight dates m in my head 20th of May 2022 and uh it was my first fight first unlicensed I was so nervous started walking dog round block I started crying my eyes out cuz like you want it that bad >> obviously now I'm experienced I'm not as uh I've had even though I'm not the most experienced I've had nighting fights I know >> I know how to deal with it now do you know what I mean but uh >> you you you correct everything all the time but every single every's is a correction phase like like with with K with Kaden with this like Kadan such like we both train Kaden what a talent he is like I don't know if he'll watch this but he better do now but um such a talent >> but again like his first fight >> consumed by that >> adrenaline adrenaline dump it don't matter how good you are sometimes once that gets it's like someone's took your batteries out your back and I try to explain this to people I try to make it as clear as possible for that first fight When you train people, I know you'll do you'll do the same yourself. [clears throat] You can relate to it cuz you've been there that many times. So you can say, "Look, this is normal. Expect to feel like this. This is what I want you to do if you can't help them though.

You can't help them." That's why it's fight or flight. Do you know what I mean? You can give him all the talk. Like Homes is one of the best for it. Honestly, Homes, I'll have a fight and I'll just feel so chilled. >> But you're the one that's stepping in the ring.

Do you know what I mean? Couple of my losses, I've just froze. I've been that nervous, you know, near the start when I first started boxing. Um, but you you can prepare them all you want, mentally prepare them, message them every day, tell them. But it's completely different.

The thing the thing is as well, obviously he's had a he's had another fight since a fight at night. Wow. What a fight. Like Jesus Christ, if he if he if he'd have fought like that, >> the other lad round that good. He that much of a different improvement. >> Absolutely. to be there to be >> class to be there like what a performance like proud as out of him to be to be like that. >> Yeah. >> But on on the other side of this, right?

So you know yourself you like you could have you can have a spy you can have an off day. You could have um I don't know human body's weird and it sometimes you'll feel super fit and then you come in and you have to do a circuit and you're dead straight away. >> Only takes that to drop that day on your fight day. >> Yeah, I know. >> Don't only takes that day. >> 100% so true. You can just have one bad off day like everyone loses >> anything the fuel for your body you could you could have you could have caught a cold that you unaware of you might >> or you might just walk in the ring and you just might feel completely flat like it happens it genuinely >> How many times you have enough sparring session? >> Loads. >> Yeah. >> No one's no one's amazing at spar. Obviously people stay consistent >> and I feel like I used to be so inconsistent me. One good spot, one bad spot, one good but now I'm starting to get that consistency but like >> what were we talking about? >> Yeah.

Um, I wasn't saying what I was saying for the fights, but so for me, I gonna say then, styles make fights. >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. >> Styles make fights as well. So, like we were just saying there is >> you're not inconsistent about your sparring is what you're saying. >> Yeah. That's what we're on about.

Yeah. >> And uh >> Yeah, that's fine. Yeah. Know, so inconsistent with sparring. Same with again energy levels. >> So, I'm one of them me as well. I always stick I can remember once I did I dieted for 10 weeks and then I ate a pizza >> night after me weighins mate and this what day before weighings and I wouldn't cage and they threw up in cage and I could taste margarita pizza >> and I had done that since >> I've just done 10 weeks of the longest diet I'd ever done in my life for a fight you fighting next >> I fought at 62 then but this is um I'm fighting at 67 next Saturday >> yeah 67 I'm free kilo I didn't mean I didn't mean to though like so I said I want to be at 65 Um, >> I don't know if them weights are changing, you know, in amateurs now.

I'm not I'm not sure. They might be, but I'm not I'm not too sure. >> Well, they're putting in 5 kg. >> I think they're putting in Well, I did five and then the other week I had three. So, >> they change the rules that many times, don't they? But, um, >> so I entered that developments under 67 kilo. >> I've entered them before under 67. Yeah. >> And I, by the way, you didn't like 65.5.

I uh I entered uh yeah I entered the 67 kilo one last year in a rematch of a kid that I beat. Yeah. >> Um and I weighed the exact same 65.5 and two too underweight. Do you know what it is >> on on Friday when you're so [snorts] nervous you can eat as much as you want. You don't put it on when you're nervous. >> Yeah. And the thing I'm so so scared then to um to eat out as well in morning. >> Yeah.

Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Even though I know I under scale you like >> you're always you're always lighter you always lighter. >> I know.

I once uh I once boxed in West Wingshshire in Manchester. I boxed a lad, a good lad actually, good uh national finalist. And uh the fighter at 57 kilo. Yeah. And I was so like I were like 59 and I thought, "Wow, I need to drop cuz I panicking.

It was like my sick fight." And I weighed in at 54.8 or 55 and he were like 57.9. I had like three three and a half kilo on me just cuz of like nerves and like >> you still they still took the fight. Yeah. I still took the fight. >> This is a 2k is a 2k smoked him as well. absolutely box his head off. >> I can remember I um I'm that's when I fought um what's it called? Ishmael, do you know the first one?

Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. So um when I fought him so I went at 68 and when I see size of him like I was in my weight but apparently >> either way I didn't like 70 kg. I didn't realize I were 2 kg weight.

So I was I was you know so we could have been 75 67 kilo next week. You can weigh in 69 kilo. I know it meant all that in it. >> Yeah, but I didn't know this, mate. I'm fighting these lads, mate. And I just said, so I said to him, that's why I said I said to Paul from Golden Team, >> I said, "Look, mate." I said, "You might as well put me at 65 kilo cuz it can be up to 67." >> Reckon you can make 65. >> Well, I know I can. >> Can you?

Yeah. >> Yeah. Well, I thought 65. Yeah. Yeah. >> I could make I reckon I can make 67 kilo. >> I made 60 65 two weeks. Uh, actually, no.

Yes. So, I fought on the Golden Team show, Hair Hills show, which I'm fighting on next Saturday. >> Yeah. Is that same place? >> Yeah. When I fought on um when I fought on that one last time again, I weighed in, but I I went in I I got told it was 65 and I went in it was 66. >> I've only ever weighed in once overweight against my best pal. Do you know, Callum North? >> Have you heard of him? >> Yeah.

Spar one of me best mates at the minute. Well, one of my best mates. He's had 52 fights and that's the only time I weighed in overweight. So I I were at home and I checked my weight and I was fine. And then I got there I was 60.7 and you had in the championships you've got to be you can't have that allowance.

And I remember outside I had three hoodies on sweatuit on and I'm skipping and I boxed boxed him about an hour an hour 15 minute later. >> Awful that me dry as awful. >> So obviously cuz how far up card would you fight then in amateurs? middle me because I add Edgard's >> I'll be main event every every amate every amate tournament I'm olden [laughter] cuz you're 31 you can say it bro 32 mate >> well I I will be next year you know cuz I'm a senior that's mad that like I I was saying to me dad the other day I could turn pro now do you know what I mean >> lucky you mate I'm turn pro with these arms definitely >> I'm against father time at the minute I don't know when we sparred the other day but first thing I noticed were your arms when you walked in >> you think >> yeah I swear to god big top don't do you no good. >> What did you have on when you come in the other day? You put a tight top a vest. >> Might have been a tight top to look >> cuz um I can remember when he first come in and we sparred how what spar before that? How long ago? Four, five months ago. >> It fight that got cancelled. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> And um cuz we're doing tech stuff and I thought yeah I've still got power edge on him.

And then when you come in and you look thicker and I like and then >> starting to gain man just a little bit more only a little bit. I still feel like I've got like ages to go yet. Do you know what I mean? >> Well, well, again, because just your IQ and that as well. I wonder about it to my dad this morning as well. Again, I've been talking to him about it all morning. >> Um I was just laughing cuz I said I had like my own game plan and I knew >> uh Wayne he couldn't he couldn't watch me. >> I wish Wayne and it would have been it definitely changed how I boxed cuz I thought I thought I were going to do exactly the same.

So when we text barred it's funny conversation is it? when when we text sparred though I were very active with Lean and I kept stabbing you back into ropes. >> So I thought and you said right 100% spar I'm just going to I'm going to try >> tried killing [laughter] me as well. I thought >> mate absolutely tried killing me >> mate. I thought I'm going to joust him back with his double jab to the stomach and I and soon as I faked it head first punch on it went to fake to the stomach. You stepped back and whacked me straight on top of head. Full on fuzzed me head first punch right and I was before I thought >> I don't think he's got quite got that that power's improved >> mate that's hardest you've hit me by a by a landslide first punch you f me straight away.

I've had I've had uh 19 fights where I only stopped one person. >> Hey, honestly big gloves and all. I don't know if because you probably hit me on cabbage patch back first one fake jab and it's just again IQ from time and how you sort of picked up from what I did like >> the things that I like to do. So I thought I didn't even correct it cuz I thought like cuz I thought obviously it would completely different with your text bar but I thought what I doing had been enough but just a bit more aggressive and forward that it' have been made it ultra competitive but I come out and sort did sort of like same thing as I tried it last time and you would make all adjustments and I just felt like >> I feel like that'sough tough spar for me mate I'm not going to lie. Yeah I feel like now that now I'm getting a bit more experienced. What I'm starting to do is in fights, what I do is my style would just ch stay the same.

Now I'm starting to pick up on little things when you got like a chameleon, mate, ars, but you've got to adapt fast. You've got to see where they're reacting, what they're doing. And I feel like I'm starting to get that now. Do you know what I mean? I'm analyzing as I'm sparring. >> Do you think um do you think holding pads and that improves how much you analyze and break down the game? >> You don't think you might not know this, right?

But you think, >> not for myself, but I watch when I watch coaches, mate. I >> Yeah, but Yeah, but listen here. So, >> every little tweak you'll notice. Have you Have you ever been on pads and someone throws a shot and you go miss? >> Yeah. Well, I've done a few times.

Yeah. >> I mean, I do different pads, too. But when I've done some and I can see when they've thrown a shot, I said uppercut hook and and they'll put a cross on end and I've gone. >> No. Yeah, that's happened. Yeah. >> I think you're recognizing constantly recognizing and analyzing um how the body works. You've always got to get the technique right, aren't you?

So, if someone flares up an elbow, >> you're constantly saying, "You've got a gap here, you've got a gap here." >> But I don't know if that helps me when I'm boxing, you know? >> I just think over the time >> timing and everything picking up. I think you pick up tails quick cuz you're looking for them. >> You do want pads. >> Yeah, that's what I'm saying. You pick up tails fast. So, that's how I feel like it transfers over. I mean, I'm not saying >> as if I were training for a boxing match, I think you should go on pads more.

Do you know what I mean? But I feel like it's quite a there's a little bit of advantage in it because >> um People have certain certain like >> I think I think you find it quick though. You find you find how far people step. You find when they throw shots cuz you're looking to be critique for them, aren't you? So you're saying every time you throw a jab, mate, you're dropping your right hand. >> Habits in it. >> Yeah. >> Habits. >> But you straight away you go, don't do this, don't do this.

So then when I when I'm sparring someone. >> Yeah. You start to >> Soon as a throwing I'm like I'm looking at I'm looking at their mistakes. So I've always thought that again. It's nice. >> That's something I'm starting to get better at. That's like what I'm starting to get better if I notice the Padman.

Yeah, [laughter] maybe it might be. [clears throat] >> And now I'm starting to notice habits and that I'm starting to cap capitalize on it and uh yeah, I feel like my IQ was getting better. Yeah. >> Sick. And what made you um what made you go down having your own gym route? Is it or were you going to go college and do else or is boxing just being plan A, plan B, plan C, plan C? >> Plan A, plan B, plan C. Yeah.

So I when I were in year 11 2023 um it were we were in year 11 I started ptinging >> and when we used to be at the gym at that I I used to think you know what I'm all right that's how I met my sponsor Ben Williams [snorts] >> um remember when I did good lad really good lad supports me a lot um yeah shout out mate and uh I feel like I've always been good on the pads even when I was like 12 13 you know when I help in the kids costume took my dad on that didn't you and everything you're an ace mate you're definitely >> took your dad on when I were 13 >> and I thought in 2023 it was summer holidays going into year 11 I thought I'm not doing it why don't I why don't I start so I started in my back garden um our 15 15 year old and obviously I was training with Kieran Farrell at the time and Kieran you know Kieran is one one of the best mate >> yeah different different levels >> different level mate he is very good P man same as Chris Williams in Liverpool that I've been going to >> and I started in my back garden and clientele started like slowly but surely And then obviously my dad's been pals with Brad Foster. You know Brad? Yeah. >> Uh at Unique Fitness. Um so he offered me the job there to do a bit of PT in there and stuff. And throughout all of school I' I'd uh I'd go to school.

I'd come home with PT and then I train. It's a lot. I still do it now. >> Yeah. >> Give it a few years, mate. My hands are going to be [\h__\h] >> Yeah. Your arthritis, mate. >> Yeah, that's it.

Um and then after I finished school, it's all I wanted to do. I didn't I had gone to college. Just done my apprenticeship with Brad. Uh got my level three personal training uh course, got my first aid. Um and then obviously Brad shut down your course with >> uh I did it with Fit UK in Batley. >> Yeah.

Yeah. >> Yeah. Have you heard of him? >> Should have done it with me. >> Yeah, I should [laughter] have done. >> And uh yeah, Brad Brad decided to close a gym uh for various reasons and that and then I said to my dad, me and my dad were like, "What are we going to do?" Do you know what I mean? What are we going to do? But I've built that. >> Is your dad in it with you then? Is it just >> My dad's in it with me?

Is in the business side? >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Uh but he he ain't got his PT qualifications and stuff like that.

But obviously he helps me out massively with the business side because he's got his own company, plastering company. >> Um and then I've built the clientele over the last few years. I've been doing it nearly three years now. Boom. >> Um I've built a good clientele and I thought I'm expecty at 18, you know, >> mate, you're busy though as well. But do you know mega busy? Do you know for me like people people take it for granted when people come in like >> getting a PTS or a coach is a luxury.

I know >> especially in this day and age mate prices >> like we can't charge too cheap otherwise it's worth your time. I know >> wear and tear on your body over time especially when you're an athlete yourself. >> Um >> but I just feel like >> I forgot where we're going with that to be honest mate as well. Um PT is PT is a luxury. >> Mhm. And I feel like how you treat your clients. So the time I see you put into them. >> Yeah.

I put a lot of time. >> That's what keeps That's when I go. That's what keeps them coming back. And I think people that's what that's what I'm getting at is that >> they take it for granted. Someone comes in because they know them. So they might be trying to open them up.

Oh, I'll send my kids to you or I'll come have a couple of sessions when they first start and then they have a couple of sessions where they're interested. Next ones they just they're off on the [\h__\h] phone or like you know what I mean? Like for me, >> there's some bad PTs as well. >> There is, mate, >> I've been at I've been at this is my fourth time I've been at four different gyms now. >> And during that time, PTS that have come and gone and they wonder why they ain't got clients or they wonder why they're not busy. >> I know. >> And there's no content, no nothing. Like before, they never used to with me. Mine were just like sort of time in the game.

Uh but now like like I said, we videos >> I'm I'm smashing out of content now. thing thing with me is what what um don't separate me because all PTs are motivated but like we talk about with my boxing now how I'm so motivated and I love it I love the training I love helping people out mate like >> like with Kaden obviously you've helped a lot but from when he first came with me not not just me cuz you helped out loads mate trains both of us to now how he's flowing not just him like like people that have never boxed before to doing combinations and >> mate getting people from never boxed in their life to getting it ring like what an achievement what a reward reward. Yeah. No, I I love that, mate. Like, it's um >> it's class. It's really class.

It's my fault. Like, I love it, mate. >> But, but you've got I think you've got to be like I think >> if you don't love it, then you're not going to get no clientele cuz you've got no passion for I started at 5 this morning. >> Got a few hours break and then I don't finish till 9 tonight, but it is hard with me training and that mate. I'm going to have to sort it out when uh when I turn pro. >> Yeah, I'm still to this day, mate. I did so I did 13 sessions Thursday. Yeah, it's a lot 12 12 sessions Wednesday, 13 sessions. >> You come home and you're absolutely goose.

Are you absolutely dead? Just your arms. Like I trained I trained with Neil and then I had a heavy weight on pad straight after maybe elbows and that have I done this I've done for like 17 years. >> Yeah, I know. Well, I I've been like, like I said, I've been PNT in two and a half years, but most of my clients are box. I've still I've still got a few that are normal PTs, >> but obviously my you you've do normal PT, don't you? >> Yeah.

Yeah. >> Yeah. Only not many. But what I love about yours as well is you're not you're not when you sell advertising for PTS, right? >> It's purely content based, right? So what you're not doing is it's not videos of you doing something saying doing PTS. It's videos what you're doing for someone else. >> Yeah.

Yeah. The progress. >> And I've had this conversation hundred times with people who started out PTS come to me, they ask me for help. How can I boost me my client base up? >> And I said like people appreciate the passion that you've got in your own career. >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.

But posting pictures of yourself with thingy or like it's not like going come train with me like >> the proofs the proofs in the in the product. So what you're doing and you're showing them this is what I'm this is how much you've improved like how much they're doing on pads and >> the work you're putting in with them. Like I think that's what >> I feel like my career helps as well. Not not only a little bit if people are being trained by a good boxer who's >> not saying I'm popular but who's got a good following popular sells tickets >> that sells itself. >> Yeah. like me on the pads. Like if you see me nice and sharp on the pads, >> they're going to think, "Wow, I want to be like that." Not in a >> But would you But on back of that, would you um So again, I think that's awesome because people see the quality, love that, but >> would you would you advertise for PTS back of your own pad video? >> No, not not really.

No, never. >> I mean, you could mate like I feel like that's a bit >> for for me for me. >> And this might not I think it goes both ways. I think people I think people already appreciate how good you are and all your videos and people just you getting on with your own thing, but then all your advertising videos are here's how I can help you. Like getting not everyone wants to be a pro boxer, you know, you know what I mean? >> It works for both ways really because holding pads for people showing their progress, but then a lot of a lot of kids want to be not be like me but they want wow I want to look like >> 100%. And I think I think I think it's slightly different is slightly different with boxing. Uh whereas if you get like people who do bodybuilding and they're posting pictures in pants with muscles and then they're like come coaching me like straight away you're like well I don't want to be like >> Yeah.

There's a few of them. Yeah. Do >> you know what I mean? >> Yeah. >> Well, I'm going to have to go pick me kids up bro. So on that can you just tell everybody >> um where to find you on social media where actually who gym is if you want to do your class timet whatever. >> Um social media maxclart.14 uh drop us a follow. And then obviously I've opened up my own boxing club uh in Normington uh Clark's Boxing Academy.

You can find it on Instagram and Facebook. And uh yeah, I'm mega busy with work at the minute like with oneto ones and group classes and stuff like that. But um >> are you still taking any more on Max as well? >> Yeah, I'm still I'm still taking on the group classes at the minute. I booked up but um obviously I post a lot on my story. So if spaces are available, I will be posting it on my story. >> Would you open any more classes if demand were high enough? >> Not at the minute.

No. >> Not at the minute. Not at the minute. No, just keep it uh as it is for the group classes. Um but yeah, just open up my own boxing club. So if anyone wants to come down Normington, uh give it a try.

Drop me a message and uh yeah, I'll get you in for a PTA class, whatever. >> Cheers for that, mate. So I I could talk to you forever, mate. But we'll we'll close it at that. Thank you everybody. Thanks for watching.

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