A hero boxing coach has told of how he jumped into action and saved a fellow boxer without a second thought seconds after he collapsed in the ring.
Coach and actor Joe McKenna, 77, was lightly sparring at a youth session at Double Jab Boxing Club in New Cross on February 25 when the horror unfolded.
Not long into the session the actor, who has starred along the likes of Tom Hardy in 2015 film Legend, began to fall onto canvas as he grappled with the rope.
But just seconds after Mr McKenna hit the floor of the ring, valorous boxing club founder Patrick Harris leapt into the square.
Mr Harris quickly jumped into action, performing life-saving CPR on the 77-year-old boxing coach – ultimately saving his life.
He continued to carry out CPR, while fellow quick-acting boxing coach Simone Davies ushered the children into a separate room.
Eventually, the east London actor regained consciousness.
It wasn’t long before paramedics arrived, later taking the boxing coach to the hospital to be assessed.
Boxing coach, Joe McKenna, 77, (pictured) was lightly sparring at a youth session at Double Jab Boxing Club in New Cross on February 25 when tragedy struck
Moments into the session the actor, who has starred along the likes of Tom Hardy , began to fall to canvas as he grappled with the rope
Mr Harris quickly jumped into action, performing life-saving CPR on the 77-year-old boxing – ultimately saving his life
Following the ordeal, Mr McKenna – who is now fully recovered – has set his sights on ‘definitely’ making a comeback to the sport.
The 77-year-old boxing coach has since revealed there is no way he could ever ‘repay’ Mr Harris for saving his life.
He told the BBC: ‘He will always be my friend and I will always stand up for Pat in any way I can.’
Now founder Mr Harris has encouraged others to sure they are ready to save a life and are CPR trained.
Recalling the moment, Mr McKenna turned ‘purple’ and stopped breathing, he explained how he went ‘straight’ into CPR.
‘I don’t think of myself as a hero,’ he said: ‘I think getting through the ropes and fighting it was a different type of fight.
‘He was getting through and fighting for his life. The stakes were high – very high.’
Describing his quick-actions as the difference between ‘life and death’, he added that CPR was a ‘positive’ skill to save and help others in the community.
