Strict but fair. This is what participants of the boxing class describe as trainer Dennis Verhoeven. The boxer became world champion despite his disability. His goal is to bring people with and without disabilities together during the training in Eindhoven. “I hope that people will gain more understanding of each other this way.”
“Hey, shut up. Less chatter and more boom, boom, boom.” Those stern sounds come from trainer Dennis. He recently started giving boxing lessons in a former classroom. “They are here to learn and have to keep their mind on it. If they start talking, they don’t pay attention. You have to be sharp.”
Discipline is therefore not a dirty word for the trainer from Eindhoven. In 2015, he won the WBC world title in the middleweight category. “I had a tough schedule. No beer and the radishes were driving me crazy. At one point they came out of my nose.”
As if the strict schedule wasn’t tough enough, Dennis has a muscle disease and his foot is crooked due to a failed operation. “Nobody expected me to be able to do this, but that was my motivation.”
At one point he hung up his boxing gloves. “At one point I was just too old,” he emphasizes. Although that did not mean the end of his boxing life. Dennis obtained his trainer’s diploma three years ago.
At one point Eindhoven Maatjes approached the champion. They organize activities for people who sometimes feel lonely. “I didn’t have to think about it for long. I enjoy doing it and think it’s important that everyone gets the chance to exercise, even if you have a disability.”
“It’s super cool that Dennis wants to do this,” emphasizes initiator Erik Wukkems of Eindhoven Maatjes. “We think it is very important that everyone is welcome with us. With or without disabilities. And that is exactly what Dennis conveys. Exercising together is more fun than alone.”
Although there is not much time to chat during training. Erik is soon put to work by his trainer. “Yes, he is loud at times, but that’s what he has to be.”
“He is strict, yes, but that also motivates me,” adds Andres Dekker as he puts his boxing gloves back on. He has recently started participating in Dennis’ training sessions. “I want to become stronger and more resilient. Getting to know people is difficult for me. This is the ideal place.”
It is an honor for Yama Saraj to train with the former world champion. “He is an inspiration. It is special to learn from him and he can empower people.”
And the students also receive that appreciation from the trainer. Despite being strict, he regularly shows that he is satisfied. “It’s fantastic to do. The enthusiasm is perfect and that’s why I do it. I’m very proud.”
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Dennis ‘The Sledgehammer’ Verhoeven comes with his own boxing gloves