In a previous article , we introduced you to Sean’s Boxing Fitness Club. This time around, we get to know the man behind the gloves - Sean ‘The Hammer’ Santana.
Local is ‘lekker’
Sean is a local resident and has called Potchefstroom his home for the past 40 years. Attending Potchefstroom High School for Boys and graduating in 1994, Sean found himself in the same class as Zimbabwean cyclist Warren Carne and the South African 800 metre Atlanta Olympic Silver medalist, Hezekiél Sepeng. It was also during his high school years that he did karate and worked his way up to a black belt, encapsulating a saga of skill, dedication and indomitable spirit.
Rising from the ashes
Sean, alongside his parents, worked at their family-run shop on The Bult for 25 years - then the pandemic hit. The store managed to operate for two more years after COVID-19, but were eventually forced to close their doors. Although life served him a K.O, Sean Santana proved to himself and those around him that he is the embodiment of a phoenix; he rose from the ashes and slowly but surely rebuilt his life and is now doing what he loves and does best - boxing. “If it wasn’t for God, I wouldn’t be where I am now”, he said as he reminisced about that difficult time for him and his family.
From black belt to red gloves
While he was still in high school and very much a karate student, he bought himself a pair of boxing gloves and his Sensei taught him to box. After obtaining his black belt, Sean tried a variety of contact sports, from Judo and Traditional Jiu Jitsu all the way through to Muay Thai before eventually turning his attention to a new discipline - boxing. He remembers paging through a Men’s Health Magazine when his eye caught an article about boxing. “I consumed that article”, he said. At the very bottom of the page was a contact number for anyone looking to pursue boxing and Sean held on to the magazine for a rainy day. Sean finally decided to call the number, and upon answering the phone, Barries Barnard informed Sean that he is the only person who has responded to the article and phoned him - a year after the article was published.
The chips fall into place
Like it was destined to happen, Sean ended up at the right gym, got in contact with the right people and before he knew it, he was partaking in boxing matches one after another. After seven fights, Sean was part of the South African Team. His last fight was at the Commonwealth Games in 2006 where he qualified for the Olympics, but decided not to go due to personal reasons. If it wasn’t for his friends and mentors he met along the way, he wouldn’t be doing what he’s doing; they were in his corner from day one. Sean experienced every aspect of boxing - the wins, the losses, the politics; but despite all of this, he was “like a kid in a candy store” just to be in the boxing sphere at last. By the time he turned 34, he unfortunately had to hang up his boxing gloves and give up on his dream of turning professional.
A different approach
Coming from the industry itself, Sean looks at boxing differently. Having quite a few years of experience, his approach to boxing differs from that of other trainers or coaches. His knee-jerk reaction upon hearing that someone is training with a specific individual is to ask about the coach’s credentials, experience, fights and titles.
Sean also joins in on each class, so he is connected to his students on both a physical and emotional level. He strives to be a role model for his students, all while having fun during the training session, “I say the craziest things during the sessions”, he said laughingly. His wife, who has been such an inspiration and motivation to him, constantly takes a stab at him and says he talks too much during his sessions. The boxing club is a tight-knit community, and the members love being around their “hey people”. Sean wants his students to excel and eventually be better than him; and he is eager to share his knowledge with them. “A good teacher makes himself unnecessary.”
Some family advice
During a training session, students should experience at least two of the following three things:
They have to feel like they’ve worked hard. Sean reiterated that you will sweat during and after the sessions - there’s no two ways about it. His classes aren’t easy, and after the 45-minute class “it’s gonna feel like you did something”, he said laughingly.
You, as coach or trainer, should teach them (the students) something. He is learning just as much from his students as they are from him, especially with the females. It’s challenging for the ladies to hit hard and with intention, but Sean mentioned that you learn by doing.
The class needs to be entertained. Being an extrovert, Sean has no problems chatting and laughing with his students during their training sessions. The students joke along and they aren’t afraid to speak their minds.
“If you have two of these things, you’ll do well”. This was the advice from his cousin, but Sean tries to combine all three things in every session.
What sets him apart
The experience and expertise that Sean brings to the ring is one of the gym’s attributes, along with his humility. Sean is not only involved at the gym in Baillie Park, he offers private classes as well. When his previous club closed down, he rented a storage locker in the industrial area where he used to train on his own, but these days it’s used for his private classes. Along with the boxing and private classes, he also presents fitness classes that he developed himself.
Plans for the future
He doesn’t want to plan too far ahead, so he is living in the moment and living for the now. His wife and family are his biggest cheerleaders and support him in each endeavour and venture he approaches. Although he doesn’t see himself as having an influence on others, some of his previous students have told him that his classes have changed their lives. Sean has an incredible way with the people he encounters - he connects with them on a personal level.
Sean Santana is one of the most humble people we’ve sat down with; he is fighting the good fight, and making an impact on the Potchefstroom community - one uppercut and two jabs at a time.
Johané van Dyk - Potchefstroom
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How to join
To find out more about Sean’s Boxing Fitness Club and how to become a member, visit their Facebook Page or contact him directly: 073 277 8828. Alternatively, click on the image below to be redirected to their Digital Business Card.
Head on over to his YouTube Channel, Sean's Corner Boxing Club, where he shares different skills and techniques.
For a brief overview of Sean’s career, visit our website to read about all of his achievements:
Old Boys from Potchefstroom High School for Boys: Sean Santana
