Trusted lieutenant in the fight club
There is only one name almost as synonymous as Errol Johnson when it comes to producing the next generation of Black Country boxing stars.
And that man is by his side in trusted lieutenant Bob Plant.
The dynamic duo have been at the forefront of bridging the gap from amateur prospect to fully-fledged professional force for nearly 30 years.
Plant and head coach Johnson were little more than boys themselves when they started to lead other unpaid hopefuls in Wednesbury, which remains their base to this day.
Their contribution to providing a safe place for youngsters in the town to learn the sport cannot be discounted.
Five years ago, they bought the shell which is now Wednesbury Boxing Academy - with no roof and three walls missing - for £18,000.
Self-employed builder Plant made the repairs out of his own pocket and Johnson spent more than £30,000 of his own money on equipment, to turn what looked like a bomb-site into a creditable place to train.
As for the boxers, they keep coming through and - with Johnson now one of the most respected trainers and matchmakers in the country - the stage is set for many more to be churned out of the 'fight factory.'
For assistant coach and 'cut man' Plant, at 47 years old, it's great to get into the nitty gritty of 'grass roots' boxing.
He said: "We have had hundreds through this gym since we started, we really have. This is our 10th year in the pro game and we were amateur for a long, long time before that - so we have seen it all as trainers.
"For me, boxing is a way of life and I hope to be involved for as long as I possibly can. As long as the fighters keep coming through, we will always be here to look after them.
"There used to be a gym on every corner, once upon a time. I am hoping it will go back to that, because there would be a lot less trouble on the streets if youngsters were taught how to channel their energies through the sport."
The cream of the crop under Plant's tutelage can today follow their dreams in the paid ranks under Johnson and top promoter Paul 'PJ' Rowson, who bridge the gap between the unpaid and paid ranks.
Now close to 70 professional boxers are part of the 'First Team' stable - with a good many graduates from the Wednesbury academy.
Plant said: "You never stop learning in boxing, we have developed ourselves as the fighters have down the years. There is a lot of people to thank for where we are today."
