Blind 10-Year-Old Training to Be Paralympic Boxer: ‘I Call Him the Champ’

**Blind Boxer Archie Hayes Draws Inspiration from Boxing Dreams**

In a remarkable display of resilience and determination, 10-year-old Archie Hayes is breaking barriers in the boxing world, defying the odds of his blindness caused by a rare retinal condition. Archie, who aspires to one day compete in the Paralympics, is honing his skills at Paddy John’s Boxing Gym in Bristol, with his coach, Andy O’Kane, guiding him through innovative training methods.

Archie’s journey into boxing began about a year and a half ago, when he accompanied his older brother, Josh, to the gym. Despite being born with Leber’s Congenital Amaurosis (LCA), a condition that severely limits vision, Archie was immediately captivated by the sport. “I got asked if I wanted to do it and I said, ‘Yeah, I would like to do it,'” he shared during an appearance on the British talk show *This Morning*.

Fred, Archie’s father, expressed how the sounds of boxing pads resonated with his son, becoming a gateway to the sport. “He just always liked hearing the sound of the pads,” Fred recalled. This enthusiasm led them to connect with coach Andy, who has been instrumental in developing Archie’s boxing skills.

Coach Andy O’Kane is devoted to adapting traditional boxing training to fit Archie’s needs. “I’m a passionate believer that boxing is really good for young men and young women,” Andy explained. He firmly believes that Archie’s visual impairment should not limit his access to the sport. “If I’m going to live up to that, then it shouldn’t be an issue that he’s blind,” he added.

Training Archie has posed unique challenges for Andy, who has had to innovate his coaching techniques. “You can’t just demonstrate the move,” he noted. Instead, he relies heavily on verbal commands and descriptive guidance to ensure Archie understands the techniques. This unique approach has allowed Archie to memorise the combinations rapidly, making training sessions not just productive, but also a highlight of their week.

Each punch, whether a jab or an uppercut, is assigned a number that Andy calls out during practice. Archie’s exceptional directional hearing enables him to accurately pinpoint sounds in the ring. “He’ll throw shots, but his hands always return to a guard position,” Andy observed, showcasing the boy’s instinctive grasp of boxing fundamentals.

As Archie immerses himself in the sport, his father has noticed a remarkable boost in his confidence. “His confidence has just gone through the roof,” Fred said, explaining how being part of the boxing club has positively impacted Archie’s life. This sense of belonging and achievement seems to be transforming Archie into a strong and likable young boy.

Interestingly, while blind boxing is not an official category in the Paralympics, Archie’s dream is to pioneer a spot for this unique discipline. Andy stated, “To my knowledge, Arch is the first lad his age to be involved in it, to be as determined as he is.” This ambition is shared and supported by various boxers who have noticed Archie’s efforts.

Prominent figures in the boxing community, such as Sameer Khan and Chris Eubank Jr., have reached out, offering words of encouragement. “Your story is so inspiring and I heard that you want to one day go to the Paralympics,” Khan said, promising to train with Archie upon returning to the UK. Eubank Jr. praised Archie’s passion for the sport, declaring, “You’re inspiring a lot of people, including myself.”

In reflecting on his experience, Archie expressed his love for boxing, stating, “I like it because it makes me really strong and powerful. Boxing teaches you to become tough.” Fred fully supports his son’s passion, affectionately referring to him as “the champ.”

Through his dedication and unwavering spirit, Archie Hayes is not only carving out a path for himself but is also inspiring others to embrace challenges, proving that limitations exist only if we let them. As he continues his training with dreams of competing at the highest level, Archie serves as a beacon of hope and determination for many.