It’s not every day I find myself squaring up to fight someone twice my size, much less one of Kent’s toughest bouncers - a man well-versed in boxing.

But in the search of a good story your KentOnline reporter shies away from no challenge.

In-the-know when it comes to trouble on Canterbury’s streets, Akon Security boss Oli Nonis has been a handy person to have in my contact book, but I had never met him in person.

On my way to City Boxing - an amateur club in St Dunstan’s - we were about to be intimately acquainted, in the ring.

Our bout came about after the 44-year-old informed me that his charity-based gym was set to reopen after a major refurbishment and invited me for a tour.

But my editor had other ideas, and suggested I not only take up his offer, but challenge him to a friendly brawl.

I figured, what did I have to lose - aside from my teeth - and I had trained a little in boxing as a teenager.

As I approached the club, Survivor’s Eye Of The Tiger playing through my headphones, I considered some intimidating smack talk was in order.

So I texted my contact-turned-opponent: “I hope you’ve had your Weetabix this morning” - in combat sports it’s all about the psychological games.

Rocking up, I thought it best that while I was still in one piece, I first interviewed Mr Nonis and Chris Harrison - head coach and manager of the gym.

I learned that the pair run the organisation for reasons beyond simply helping people to improve their fitness.

Through his work managing bouncers and security guards across the city, Mr Nonis has seen first hand what can happen when youngsters get drawn into the wrong crowds.

So together with Mr Harrison and others, City Boxing aims to help youngsters redirect their energy and learn the discipline that one of the world’s oldest sports demands.

“It’s about creating positive role models, and having a good influence on the local youths,” said Mr Nonis.

“I think there’s too many negative influences out there and we see a lot of that with the local kids, and it’s about trying to steer them away from that and towards something positive.

“Boxing helps build mental resilience - this younger generation is Tik-Toking all the time and I don’t think it’s a healthy culture – teenagers should get off their phones, come in and get fit.”

Mr Harrison, whose business - Harrison Bespoke Construction - helps to finance the gym explained that training can teach a variety of personal qualities, including drive and ambition.

Offering group classes for youths and adults as well as one-to-one coaching, the builder explained that City Boxing also encourages people to form interpersonal connections.

“We’re a big community here, so it’s not just about the boxing - we’re here for everybody and boxing is based on discipline,” explained the former amateur boxer.

“If they can take anything from the gym, the discipline later on can be tremendous.”

“This younger generation is Tik-Toking all the time and I don’t think it’s a healthy culture – teenagers should get off their phones, come in and get fit...”

The pair went on to tell how through the support of local and national businesses, City Boxing has recently been completely refurbished - re-plastered, painted and carpeted.

Having officially reopened on February 24, the gym now has new equipment, bags, and fighting rings.

And with the talking over, it was time for to me climb through the ropes and give Mr Nonis the old one-two.

I like to consider myself pretty fit, but after just a couple of minutes on the balls of my feet, my heart was already racing.

I managed to land a few clean body blows, but nothing that troubled my opponent.

For his part, Mr Nonis mostly played defence - he said he was recovering from a hand injury - but one or two of his jabs definitely connected.

Perhaps it was because of the rapport I had developed with him through my charming interview style, or maybe he just took pity on my less-than-athletic physique and almost complete lack of training, but I’m pretty sure Mr Nonis was taking it easy on me.

I called it quits after a few minutes - too exhausted to continue.

I may not have dealt the city’s chief bouncer a knock-out blow but I’ll claim to have punched above my weight all the same.