Click on the green icon on the right to see how Observer reporter Greg Miles got during an assignment with a difference in which he went toe to toe with Ellis

Young Ellis Booth has already been recognised as the junior female boxer of the year.

Ellis is a boxer first and a girl second when she steps through the doors at St Gerard's Boxing Club at Swanfield Park Community Centre in the city.

Trained by Gerry Lavelle since she was nine, Ellis has made giant strides into the boxing scene and at only 15 years old, she is the youngest member of the England Women's boxing team.

She said: "My brother took me along to the gym where he boxed. I used to watch him and they said I could stay and join in.

"Boxing wasn't something I thought I wanted to do. There's not one thing in particular I like about it – I like it all.

"It's a good feeling being in the ring and winning matches. Because I box for England, I do realise how good I am and I think I can go far in the future."

Lavelle has been a boxing coach for 16 years and he said Ellis was in the top three out of all the people he had coached.

He said: "I just knew when I met her she was special. Even if you're not that learned about boxing, you can just tell by the way she moves.
"When you show her a combination, she picks it up straight away.

"That is when you know they're taking it in because you don't have to show it to her repeatedly.

"She has got such strong willpower. For example, when all her mates are out at the cinema or whatever, she is training.

"When she turns 17 that's when things will really kick off for her – she will probably be boxing once a month."

Ellis has had eight bouts to date, five of which have been closed bouts where there is no winner and the fight takes place for the experience of both boxers.

There have been three competitive bouts, of which Ellis lost two on points' decisions and won the third.

Her next competitive match takes place tomorrow in Islington, north London.

Ellis is not the only girl at the club any longer – two others were tempted to join when they heard about her success.

Lavelle set up the boxing club at the Swanfield Park centre in June 2002 hoping it would take kids off the streets and away from drink, drugs and anti-social behaviour.

He says it plays an important role by teaching the youngsters discipline.

It is something they have to pick up quickly ... or learn the hard way by doing 20 press-ups each time a rule is broken.

Ellis has a strict schedule of keeping fit with runs in the evening and the two gym sessions on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Lavelle is joined at the gym by his brother Billy and Ross O'Grady, who are fully-qualified assistant coaches.