This essay follows the exploits of a tiny backstreet gym in Diepsloot township outside of Johannesburg, South Africa. From this 4 metre by 4-metre gym with one broken mirror as their only refection, some of the boxers have become national champions and some have turned professional. Here kickboxers train together in the afternoon.

18 year old school boy and now professional fighter, Mthobisi Buthelezi, trains by doing scores of pull-ups with the township's public play ground equipment after finishing his school lessons. The boxers have gained status and respect on the streets of the poor township for their exploits and no-one bothers to try

A group training session gets under way as the gym's fighters train two weeks before a tournament.

A young kick boxer trains on his own in the late afternoon sun. The gym is also shared with body builders so space for the kick boxers to train is a constant problem.

Heavy weight amateur champion, Shaka, trains in the gym days before successfully defending his national amateur title.

One of the youngest fighters gets prepared to fight in a shopping centre on a Saturday afternoon.

Professional fighters warm up for a major tournament in the change rooms at a local Johannesburg casino.

The gym's only broken mirror reflects a training session. Here the boxers shadow box against each other and against the mirror.

Kickboxers share a light moment prior to a fight.

A fighter from the Diepsloot gym is wished luck by one of the hundreds of spectators who turned out to watch a professional championship held at a local Johannesburg casino.

Two fighters, one from the Diepsloot gym, trade blows in the ring as the punters watch on.

Heavy weight champion, Shaka, celebrates after successfully defending his title and thus remaining South African champion. Four days later and he was training again for his next fight. All the fighters from the gym know that to be the best means hard work and dedication. This they do not lack.