“KEEP BUSY, find a passion and don’t let cancer beat you, we fight back.”
That’s the message from Solihull’s ‘bionic boxer’ who has returned to the ring after being diagnosed with cancer after his leg snapped while sparring.
Ollie Hercombe was an amateur boxer who had had been part of competing in box cups and championships.
In 2024, just before his 16th birthday, while in the gym, the now 17-year-old stepped back and his leg snapped.
After an X-ray, doctors found a tumour in Ollie’s leg, and a few weeks later he was diagnosed with Adamantinoma – an extremely rare bone cancer that affects just one in 1.9million people.
Ollie decided to have his leg amputated to stop the cancer spreading further.
Over the past 18 months Ollie has had to learn to walk again using a prosthetic and find his new normal.
During his treatment the Smith’s Wood and Hall Green resident has taught himself to play guitar and has adapted to his new life.
Dad Adam said: “He didn’t allow it to slow him down, if anything, he showed how to speed it up proving the experts it can be done, never missing appointments and showing up even on bad days.”
But Ollie longed to be back in the gym, and training.
Adam said: “Being out the gym was tough mentally for him. His inspiration is the pure love for the sport and ability to show that nothing can stop him from doing what he wants to do which is train and box.
“The gym environment is his second home with his friends and family even with his little sister, he is now training with elite boxers again as before like nothing has changed.
“He is now at UCB college learning sports science and trains three times a week at Caesars Community Boxing Gym, his inspiration is to show it doesn’t matter what your disability is, that if you have self-belief determination, stay motivated and disciplined you can do anything.”
In terms of his boxing career, the path is not clear as there is currently no boxing in the Paralympics, which is hindering him from moving forward but Adam says they will keep knocking on the door and encourage other amputees to do the same.
He added: “I’m so happy he’s doing what he loves to do. Every step he moves forward I just get overwhelmed with love and admiration for Ollie.”
In a message to young people and children who are faced with a similar diagnosis Ollie said: “Stay strong: the fight is never over and is just a hurdle to have to get over. Always stay positive and keep busy, find a passion and don’t let cancer beat you, we fight back. Don’t change who you are, the future and dreams can and will come true.”
