This is the remarkable grandmother who has rolled back the years – by taking up BOXING.
Maggie Clarke, 63, is set to take on her first bout after taking up the sport last year in a bid to stay fit.
The grandmother-of-eight trains three times a week at the Women’s Boxing Club in Highgate, Birmingham, and says the sport has made her feel “younger than ever”.
The 8st 4lbs prize fighter, of Bordsley Green, Birmingham, first got into the sport last year when she signed up to a kick-boxing gym, and got hooked on the adrenaline that comes with the sport.
Maggie, who is just 18 months shy of being able to claim a free bus pass, is now in training for an exhibition bout.
Speaking yesterday (Sun), the office assistant said: “I can’t believe the impact that it’s had, I’ve got so much enjoyment out of it.
“I only really started as a bit of an experiment, and since then I’ve fallen in love with it.
“The first time that I went, I just sat and watched to see if it was going to be too brutal for me, but I liked what I saw and started to get involved.
“I think that I can look after myself, I’ve been surprised by how well it’s been going because I’m a fairly small build.
“I’m keen to have my first fight as soon as I can, but I need to improve a bit first, otherwise I’m going to get hurt.
“But it has been very therapeutic, and I find that the punching helps alleviate the stresses of everyday life.”
Jason Lowe, who runs the Women’s Boxing Club, said: “Maggie is the oldest lady in the gym by a long way and that’s an accolade to people of that age and era.
“She is going to inspire more people of that generation.
“She is absolutely fantastic. When it comes to training, she leaves a lot of the younger women standing.
“Once she’s put on the handwraps and gloves, she’s all business.
“We’re not going to turn anyone away. We’re not going to impose an age limit. Maggie is proof that age is not a barrier.
