Welcome to Basil Ray Boxing
Below you will find a few of the many testimonies of young men and women whose lives have been transformed by boxing.
JL van Graan (34)
"I was lost - 10 years of hell. Loosing myself, my family and the people I love. Addiction destroyed me and God brought me to my knees twice before I listened.
I had to surrender to my Lord Jesus Christ and then I found Boxing. Meeting Basil Ray I was an enraged man, he gave me love and the motivation to take on life and showed me the art of boxing. It was a process. What has boxing given me?
A brand-new life, a purpose and all the self-confidence I lost. Now I can talk in front of a thousand people, laugh, train on a level of fitness I have never seen, pushing myself to my ultimate limits. I can now, at God's timing, have a family and success I have been praying for. No other sport can give you what boxing does. Three rounds, you alone and boxing for your life; I box because it saves my life"
JL Van Graan.
Jaundré Scheepers (29)
"Before I found boxing, I was adrift, lacking direction and struggling to find my purpose. I didn't realize it at time, but what I needed most was discipline - something I had little of. Then, I stepped into Basil Ray's boxing gym for the first time and my life began to change in ways I never imagined. Boxing became more than a sport for me, it was a teacher. The rigorous training regimen demanded consistency, focus and a commitment to self-improvement. Every day I had to push myself beyond my comfort zone, whether it is waking up early for a run, perfecting my technique in the gym, or maintaining a healthy diet. There were no shortcuts and no easy ways out. Just hard work and perseverance. Through boxing I've learned the true meaning of self-discipline. It taught me that self-discipline is more than just showing up, it's about giving your best effort everyday even on days you don't feel like it. I realized the battles in the ring were nothing compared to the battles within myself - the struggle to stay motivated, to remain focus, and to overcome my own doubts and fears. Boxing also instilled in me a sense of responsibility. I became accountable for my own progress, understanding my success or failure rested in my own hands. This mindset didn't just apply to boxing - it began to influence every aspect of my life. I started to approach new challenges with a new level of determination and resilience, knowing that if I can endure the hardships of training, I could overcome anything that life threw my way. The discipline I developed through boxing transformed me into a more confident, focused and driven individual. It gave me the tools to navigate life with purpose and determination, and for that I am forever grateful. Boxing didn't just teach me how to fight. It taught me how to live." Juandré Scheepers.
Trevor van Niekerk (34)
"I met Uncle Bas weighing a hundred kilos and not thinking much of myself. It didn't take long for his words to draw a solid commitment from me; he's not the kind of man whose aura you can step into without being uplifted. Running parallel to my personal spiritual journey, boxing taught me the necessary discipline needed to press through the uncomfortable process of change. Through dedication, focus and hard work, repetition brought about the mind-set change I needed to rebuild myself and fully surrender to God. Now I'm fit, focused and living a new life. Boxing, for me, is what balanced me out mentally. No other sport in the world can give you the peaceful confidence that boxing does. It teaches you to show up for yourself every day, regardless of what you feel; and to walk away from trouble, knowing what you're capable of." Trevor van Niekerk. "You can't truly call yourself 'peaceful' unless you are capable of great violence. If you're not capable of violence, you're not peaceful, you're harmless. Important distinction."   - Stef Starkgaryen
Christo Lewis (24)
The road of addiction is dark, evil and very lonely, you lose your loved ones, friends, your pride and dignity. That's what happened to me, I had no hope for a better life only darkness and destruction until, by the grace of God, I found boxing. I went to a boxing event and it completely changed my life, there and then I decided that through boxing I am going to change my life and, in time, it restored to me double everything I ever lost. I found a passion and something to strive toward, inside and outside the ring. Through boxing and our amazing coach, my brother and I completely turned our lives around, I found a purpose for my life again and I owe it all to God and boxing.
Kyle Lewis (22)
"I was once headed down a path of destruction, making choices that were slowly but surely destroying my life. I was lost, aimless, and felt like I was drowning in my own mistakes. But then, something changed. I discovered boxing. Boxing became my escape, my sanctuary, and my passion. I dedicated myself to the sport, pouring every ounce of energy into training, learning, and growing. As I transformed physically, I also began to transform mentally and emotionally. Boxing taught me discipline, resilience, and perseverance. It showed me that I was capable of pushing through pain, of overcoming obstacles, and of achieving greatness.Through boxing, I found a sense of purpose and direction that I had been lacking. I started to set goals and work towards them, both in and out of the ring. I began to believe in myself and my abilities. Today, I am a completely different person. I am confident, focused, and driven. I owe it all to boxing. The sport saved me from myself, and gave me a second chance at life. If I can leave you with one message, it's this: no matter how dark things may seem, there is always hope. There is always a way out. And sometimes, all it takes is finding that one thing that ignites a fire within you. For me, that thing was boxing." Kyle Lewis
JJ Roberts (35)
Hierdie is wat ek net van myself wil se en hoe boks my gehelp het en hoe dit my positief help bly. Ek was n herion verslaafde vir 18 jaar en die laste 6 jaar op crystal meth. Ek het geensins gedink dat ek ooit uit verslaving sou kon uitkom nie. Ek het al baie rehabilitasie sentrums probeer en ek het bly terug val. Ek dank die Here dat ek begin boks het, en oom Bas in my lewe ontmoet het. Dit help my ongelooflik baie en ek is nou al 9 maande skoon en voel nog goed. Boks is eerlikwaar n moet om jouself weer te vind en jou kop sterk te maak, dit werk vir my waar niks voorheen my kon verander nie. Ek dank die liewe Vader vir die geleentheid om myself geestelik en fiesies te kan bly opbou.
Rae Wetzl (23)
I can't say enough about how Basil Ray Boxing Gym has transformed my life. When I first walked through those doors, I was searching for discipline and direction, and what I found was so much more. The gym has given me a solid foundation, not just in boxing, but in life. The rigorous training and unwavering consistency required in the ring have taught me that nothing comes easy. Every punch and every drop of sweat is a reminder of the hard work needed to achieve success. More importantly, this journey has significantly boosted my self-esteem, showing me that with dedication and perseverance, I can overcome challenges and reach goals I once thought were out of reach. Basil Ray Boxing Gym has been a cornerstone in shaping my character and pushing me towards a better, more confident version of myself.