A care home might not seem the obvious place to start up a boxing club, but disabled residents who have formed one in Norwich have no intention of throwing in the towel.

Norwich Evening News: Mark Hobson, a resident at John Grooms Court for adults with physical and learning difficulties, training with help from Norfolk amateur boxer, Zaiphan Morris. Picture: DENISE BRADLEYMark Hobson, a resident at John Grooms Court for adults with physical and learning difficulties, training with help from Norfolk amateur boxer, Zaiphan Morris. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2017)

And residents at Livability John Grooms Court were pleased as punch when city boxer Zaiphan Morris, fresh from the first belt of his career, returned to give them some further tips.

The 27-bed home for adults with physical disabilities started up the boxing club last year as a way to keep the residents, who use wheelchairs, active.

Many of the residents at the Sprowston Road care home pull on the gloves each fortnight and get special training in the sport.

Experts are on hand to help them, with sessions run by personal trainer Sharon Plummer, from Norwich Fitness Club.

Norwich Evening News: Norfolk amateur boxer, Zaiphan Morris, trains Rosie Woodgate, a resident at John Grooms Court for adults with physical and learning difficulties. Picture: DENISE BRADLEYNorfolk amateur boxer, Zaiphan Morris, trains Rosie Woodgate, a resident at John Grooms Court for adults with physical and learning difficulties. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2017)

Super featherweight boxer Mr Morris visited the home in December and pledged, whether he won or lost his battle for the International Classic Challenge belt, he would return to see how they were getting on.

Mr Morris, 32, beat Latvian Aleksandrs Birkenbergs 79:75 to win his inaugural belt in front of a home crowd at The Halls in Norwich - so ,on his return, residents got to see his belt.

Mr Morris was also able to see the progress which the residents have made since his visit before Christmas.

Sue Hampson, care home manager, said: 'Boxing can promote cardio vascular health, along with better hand eye co-ordination.

Norwich Evening News: Vince Leighs, a resident at John Grooms Court for adults with physical and learning difficulties trains with Norfolk amateur boxer, Zaiphan Morris. Picture: DENISE BRADLEYVince Leighs, a resident at John Grooms Court for adults with physical and learning difficulties trains with Norfolk amateur boxer, Zaiphan Morris. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2017)

'It also helps with upper body strength which is important for our residents as it enables some to maintain independence with transferring from wheelchair to bed and so on.

'Boxing decreases stress, reduces frustration and improves the general wellbeing of our residents.

'It's great to have Zaiphan with us.

'Some people might not consider boxing a sport that disabled people might participate in, but at Livability we want to challenge assumptions and tackle the restrictions that disabled people can face.

Norwich Evening News: Sue Hampson, deputy manager, uses the boxing training from Norfolk amateur boxer, Zaiphan Morris, with resident Gavin Dymond, at John Grooms Court for adults with physical and learning difficulties. Picture: DENISE BRADLEYSue Hampson, deputy manager, uses the boxing training from Norfolk amateur boxer, Zaiphan Morris, with resident Gavin Dymond, at John Grooms Court for adults with physical and learning difficulties. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2017)

'We also run a ski club and two of our residents are participating in sponsored sky dives. If we can do it safely, we'll pull out all the stops!'

For more information on the care home visit www.livability.org.uk/service/john-grooms-court-norwich

Norwich Evening News: Norfolk amateur boxer, Zaiphan Morris, with residents at John Grooms Court for adults with physical and learning difficulties who he is training in boxing. From left, Mark Hobson, Gavin Leighs, Sharon Plummer of Norwich Fitness Club, David Millar, Vince Leighs, deputy manager Sue Hampson, Rosie Woodgate, and Kelly Woods. Picture: DENISE BRADLEYNorfolk amateur boxer, Zaiphan Morris, with residents at John Grooms Court for adults with physical and learning difficulties who he is training in boxing. From left, Mark Hobson, Gavin Leighs, Sharon Plummer of Norwich Fitness Club, David Millar, Vince Leighs, deputy manager Sue Hampson, Rosie Woodgate, and Kelly Woods. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2017)