Boxer speaks about Anti-Bullying week
- Anti-Bullying Week 12-16 November 2018
- Local Boxer looks to inspire others with his story
- Find out more about the Town supporting Boxer
Today marks the start of the week-long annual Anti-Bullying campaign and one Town-supporting local Boxer has been sharing his own story in the hope it inspires others to speak up against the bullies.
Fes Batista – who fights under the ring name ‘The Terrier’ - went through his own problems whilst at University being subject to racial abuse whilst on campus.
“My self-esteem was crushed” recalls Batista.
“It was something I had no control over, I can’t change certain characteristics about myself. There were times that I wanted to change who I was just to fit in and I didn’t feel I was able to celebrate my uniqueness and who I am.
“I was in a dark place and was able to channel some of my energy in the dark times into Boxing.”
The Boxer spends time away from the ring sharing his story with schools in the local area in the hope it can inspire anyone going through any similar, difficult circumstances.
“I’ve been going into schools since 2012 and my main message has been around anti-bullying and promoting kindness and inspiration through my own experiences.
“I’ve recently been working with the Town Foundation to share my message with some of the schools they work with in my hometown.
More recently, one Town fan named Ben reached out to the Boxer for some help with some of his own issues he was facing.
With a charity game on the horizon, ‘The Terrier’ invited the youngster to the gym for a one-to-one sparring session where he delivered a few words of inspiration to the youngster – who has since gone on to lose close to 20 pounds.
“It’s crucial that you reach out someone; teachers, parents, family members - anyone that you trust.
“There is a certain level or pride and deep-down people can be too embarrassed to admit they are being bullied and to ask for help; I personally was extremely embarrassed to share my problems”
“I want to empower people, so they are able to speak out about the problems because the more people who do, the greater the ammunition we have to tackle the problems.”
“It’s important that you tell somebody and don’t suffer in silence, like I did.”
