AT just 3ft tall Aiden ‘LikkleMan’ Henry is the most unlikely pay-per-view boxing star imaginable but his story is every inch as impressive as the fight game’s giant heroes.
Born with dwarfism in Coventry 28 years ago, Henry suffered such heartbreaking rejection from the people who should have loved and protected him most.
Aiden ‘LikkleMan’ Henry was born with dwarfism in Coventry 28 years ago
It was only in local gangs that he was able to find any protection from the bullies who wanted to take liberties with him.
A life of crime and prison sentence for burglary followed but while caged he posted a string of madcap videos that earned support from champion boxers and music stars.
Since his release in March 2019, Henry has turned his life around, apologised for his crimes and trained with stars like Conor Benn and Anthony Yarde.
And his huge social media following – which includes almost 560,000 plus Instagram fans – shows he’s more popular than ever.
The fact he gatecrashed BDave’s weigh-in for his upcoming Misfits Boxing night on Saturday – shoving the influencer before tackling him down to the ground with a double-leg takedown would have endeared him to the public even more.
Henry told SunSport back in 2020: “I was born fighting, when you are born half the size of a normal man you have to fight twice as hard to get anywhere in life.
“I was born into a life of gangs, drugs and crime, like a lot of people are in certain areas. But on top of that I am this size.
“I didn’t go to school, I can’t read or write, I didn’t have parents.
LikkleMan found fame after celebrities started liking his pics and vids
The 28-year-old has became a social media sensation thanks fun photos and videos
Since leaving prison in March 2019, Henry has dedicated himself to boxing, including a session at the Adam Booth gym
British welterweight ace Conor Benn also welcomed Henry into the Matchroom gym
“I have matured a lot now but my brain is definitely wired differently to everyone else.
“I’ve had 25 bad years behind me, I have had to apologise for a lot of things I am sorry for, but now I have this chance to turn my life around and I am going to take it.”
Henry comes close to getting deep on his early struggles but pulls himself back, his hard-man outlook ingrained long before he ever picked up a pair of gloves.
The reformed bad-boy will not offer up sob stories but he is proud he has made his area proud and wants to use his platform to apologise to anyone he wronged.
He said: “Anyone who knows my story will hopefully respect me more now because they will know what I went through.
“I was a little f***er, I have to admit I was a little b******. And I am sorry to all the people I hurt in the past but I had to do certain things to feed myself and survive.
“I committed burglaries because I had no other way to live, I couldn’t do just one £1m robbery because it would be too easy to spot the 3ft black man in the police line-up.
“But that is my past, I am thankful for how it made me but that’s behind me and this golden ticket is helping me change my life.”
Henry has been welcomed into gyms all over the country and put the work in
Henry knows it is not about the size of the dig in the fight, it is about the size of the fight in the dog.
LikkleMan insists he is not a circus act being exploited, his social media power means he is in control of his second career and he has big dreams once crowds are allowed in events.
Coventry City fans have to travel to Birmingham to watch their football team but Henry reckons his particular charms could give them a great showdown closer to home.
He said: “I could sell out the Ricoh Arena, definitely.
“Because I am small but confident with it, people have never seen that combination and are intrigued.
“Girls are fascinated about whether things are in proportion, it’s just my everyday life.
“From a very young age I have been aggressive because of how I have been treated.
“Now I can hopefully make that work for me and better my life, because that is all I have wanted the chance to do.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the benefits to learning how to box?
You should be aware of the following factors if you are interested in learning how to box:
- It increases confidence. Being able to box will help you face bullies and other bullies.
- It improves your health. Boxing is good for building muscle mass. Muscle mass makes you more powerful.
- It teaches you self-defense skills. Learn how to fight to learn how you can protect yourself.
- It helps you develop your mental toughness. When you face challenges, mental toughness is essential.
- This gives you an incredible sense of achievement. When you master a particular technique, it will make you feel like a true fighter.
- It’s fun! It’s fun!
- It’s cheap. All you need are a pair of punching bags and boxing gloves.
- It doesn’t require much space
How long does it take for you to master boxing?
Boxing is the oldest known martial art. China was home to the first ever boxing match, which took place around 2200 BC. Boxing has existed for thousands upon thousands of generations. Boxing is still very popular with celebrities and athletes. However, it takes around 10 to learn how to box.
Because boxing involves so many movements, it is slow to learn. To be able to perform each movement correctly, certain muscles are required. It takes time to train these muscles.
After you learn how to move your own body, you can practice any type of boxing. As you get more proficient at each technique, you will be able to improve your skills.
What are the best ways to learn boxing defense from home?
Boxing is one the oldest martial arts known. Boxing is also considered to be one of the hardest sports to play. You cannot just punch someone in his face and then knock him out. You need to know how you can defend yourself against punches or kicks.
Find a local boxing gym. Once you have found a suitable place to train you’ll need some gloves or headgear. The gloves protect your hands, while the headgear protects you. A T-shirt and shorts are required.
Once you’ve got all your equipment, you’ll need to warm up properly. Begin slowly, then gradually increase your speed. When you feel ready, hit the bag and spar with another boxer. Don’t worry if you miss. You can always try again until it is perfect.
Is it possible to train boxing with out fighting?
Training boxing requires fighting. You have to work hard to become a better boxer. But if you do, you’ll find that you can improve your boxing technique, speed, endurance, strength, and stamina.
It is important to observe good boxers fighting in order to improve your boxing technique. You should observe how they move, throw punches and defend themselves. Next, try to copy their moves.
Next, you need to spar with another boxer. This is where you will see if your boxing technique has improved. You’ll be amazed at how fast you can punch and how strong your punches feel.
You’ll also need to practice your boxing skills through drills. Practice makes perfect, so be patient and persistent.
How can I box without a partner?
If you are looking to box with a partner but don’t want to train, you can just watch the professional boxing matches on TV. You could also look for an amateur boxing club in your area. Regular training sessions are a common feature of amateur boxing clubs. These sessions often involve sparring partners who hit the pads together.
You can also use punching bags to practice boxing. Before hitting the bag, ensure that you are wearing gloves and protective gear.
How can you improve your punching form?
Punching form is one of the most important parts of boxing. A good punch technique is essential if you are to become a better fighter. These are some tips that will help you improve your punching technique.
- Keep your head elevated. Your head should always be up while throwing punches.
- Punch from your shoulder. Use your shoulder to strike the target when you punch.
- Keep your eyes on your feet. Try not to move your feet when you’re punching.
- Throw short, quick punches. Longer punches can tire you faster.
- Don’t forget about defense! Remember to stop incoming punches.
- Use your elbows. Your elbows can be used to protect yourself.
- You can learn to use your legs. Properly using your legs will help you avoid being knocked down.
- Practice every day. Even if you feel exhausted after training, don’t give up. It takes practice to become proficient at anything.
- Have fun Have fun doing what you do.
- Breathe. Correct breathing will help you feel stronger and more energetic.
- Relax. Don’t worry about making errors. Don’t worry about making mistakes. Instead, focus on learning new skills.
- Be patient. Boxing is not easy. It takes time to perfect your skills.
- Never stop learning. As long there is still room for improvement, there will continue to be improvement.
- Enjoy music. Music can help you relax and concentrate during training.
- See videos of professional boxers. You may be inspired to work harder by watching them compete.
- Read books. Reading can help you understand boxing techniques better.
- You need to take breaks. Sometimes it helps to take a break from boxing. Go outside to play soccer or basketball.
- Find a coach. Coaching can make you more efficient at boxing.
- Do push-ups. Push-ups can be a great way to increase strength and endurance.
How do beginner boxers train?
Boxing is one among the oldest sports. However, boxing has become very popular in recent years. Boxing is a sport that involves two fighters fighting each other in a boxing ring. They punch each other until one fighter falls down.
The first step towards becoming a boxer is to find out if you like boxing. You can view some fights on YouTube to experience what it’s like to punch someone. Once you have decided that boxing is for you, you can decide what style of fight you prefer.
Statistics
- It is just like normal sparring with a partner, but you want to throw punches at 75% of your normal speed. (wikihow.com)
- You want to be running at roughly 75-80% of your top speed..5 mile slow, easy recovery jog at the end.[6]X Research source 2Mix in long runs, shadow boxing, and short sprints on non-interval days. (wikihow.com)
External Links
expertboxing.com
amazon.com
- Amazon.com – Ringside Diablo Wrestling Boxing Sneakers : Clothing, Shoes & Jewellery
- Amazon.com – Sanabul Boxing Gloves Elastic 180 Inch Red : Outdoors & Sports
How To
How do you set up a Boxing Gym within your House?
People who are looking to start their own business often ask how to set up a boxing club. Many people are curious about how much equipment they should purchase, what type of space they need, and how many employees they will require. There are many variables that influence the cost of starting a new business. Some of these factors are location, type and number of employees, budget, competition, etc. The importance of having quality equipment is something that many people forget. Without the proper equipment, you can’t get started. So if you really want to start a boxing gym in your home, here are some tips to help you out.
- You will need somewhere to train. The space you need to train can be found in the garage, basement and spare rooms, as well as in the living room. Only one requirement: There must be enough space for the equipment to be set up.
- You will need at least one punching bag. This is vital because you won’t have the ability to practice punches without it. It could be anything you like, from a simple plastic bag to a sturdy leather bag. It must be big enough for you to carry it comfortably. You will also want it to last for many years.
- You need a mat. Matting protects floors and walls from kicks. It is made mostly of foam rubber. You can buy them online and offline.
- A bench is a must. The bench can be used to support the body during pushups. They can be ordered online or in local stores. Make sure you get the right size.
- A speedbag is necessary. Speedbags can be used to improve hand movement speed. You can purchase them online or in-store. You want to make sure you get a high-quality product that will last.
- Headgear is necessary. It protects your head when sparring. It can either be purchased online or in a physical store. It is important to choose the right size and protection for your face.
- Gloves are necessary. Gloves are used to protect your hands during sparring sessions. They can be purchased either online or offline stores. You can choose the pair that best suits you and your style.
- You will need a mouthpiece. Mouthpieces can be used to protect your smile during sparring sessions. You can purchase these online or offline stores. Choose the right pair for you.
- Rings are essential. Rings are used in real fight simulations. You can buy them online or offline. It should have padding on both sides, so you don’t get hurt during sparring.
- You will need a towel. To wipe your sweat off after every workout, use a towel. They can be purchased at local sporting goods store or online stores. Be sure they are soft, absorbent, and comfortable.
