LEWIS CLARK is fighting fit after training for five years and losing eight stone.

This Saturday he joins 11 other boxers in his first bout, a charity fundraiser in Walton for five-year-old Leon Johnson of Kirby-Le-Soken, who has cerebral palsy and is paralysed from the waist down.

The 22-year-old Clacton painter and decorator, who has the boxing name of Lewis ‘DogFace’ Clark, used to weigh over 22 stone.

“I was massive, really fat. I wanted to get back into shape. I wanted to box. I was over 22 stone but now I am 14st 2,” said the former Tendring Technology College student.

Recent years have seen Lewis train about every day, for around 13 hours a week. He fights out of Johnsons and Sons gym trained by Alfie Leonard, which is based at the Country Fit Gym at Thorpe.

“It’s a helluva commitment. I ate lots of junk food before, now I just stick to a normal, balanced diet,” he said.

“I have been training for this particular fight for six months. Losing the weight has enabled me to get into the fight and to move around and compete,” he said.

His coach is Leon’s father, Clacton super-middleweight Justin Johnson, which led to this Saturday’s fundraiser at 6pm in the Columbine Centre, Walton.

Twelve boxers, including Lewis, will take part from the Clacton area, against 12 others from Colchester. There will be 12 fights overall in the event known as Fighting For the Cause.

“There’s quite a few people going. This a charity fight for everyone that trains at Country Fit,” he said.

After this charity fight, Lewis has lined up his first ‘proper’ fight at the Regent Park Hotel in London on September 17.

“I'm finally feeling confident with my own body, it took time and effort but I'm finally 80 per cent of where I want to be. I've lost over 8 stone in 5 years which is a lot of weight. It just proves that anyone can do it, just takes time and effort! Bring on this Saturday!! Don't ever give up!” he added.

Anyone wanting to watch the fights can get tickets on the door on Saturday.