Paul started training in Darlington at the age of 15 years old. After having 32 fights and being unbeaten this then gave him the chance to represent England for the national team, at the time coached by Tony Moore, based in Manchester. He also spent time training and fighting in Thailand, trained by Lunamit who trains out of Carryboy gym. He also trained with Apeda who is the top coach for Fairtex. He has fought in many coutries around the world including France, Italy, Germany, Sweden, The Netherlands, The Philippines, America, Australia and Hong Kong.

His first fight in Thailand was in 1982 and after 82 fights he had 3 British Titles and 1 European Title. He then fought in Rajadam and Lumpinee Stadiums in Bangkok, competing against their Thai champions at various weights and after 209 fights he had only lost 9. He achieved 23 Belts at 4 different weights in British, European and World Title fights and was European kick Boxing champion. Paul gives the most credit to his previous trainers: Tony Moore, the Thai trainers and his experience from fighting all over the world.

After spending 8 years training classes at various venues including The Classic Gym Darlington, David Lloyds Teesside, Kings Middlesbrough and Yarm Fitness World, Paul said "My dream was to open my own Thai Boxing Gym". After he had fulfilled that dream he then went on to put on shows in the town, which he has done for over 15 years. These have enabled the local kids and lads to fight in front of their home crowd.

He has also held the first ever Pro Boxing/Thai Boxing show to be sanctioned by the WMC in Thailand. Some of the shows have been televised on Channel 5 and Sky Sports. The last show was in the Dolphin Centre and the one before that being in Watford, London and was The Contender Asia UK Eliminators.

Paul has been England coach several times, taking teams to compete at The Kings Cup, in Bangkok, Thailand. Michael Dicks has had the honour of being the only English fighter to be asked to fight in front of The King of Thailand on his Birthday.

Paul also decided to go Pro-Boxing for about 3 years and had 18 fights -14 wins, 2 Draws and 2 Losses. This enabled him to join the Amateur Boxing Association, as an ABA coach, and has had good success; having fighters in the ABA finals.

DBMA is currently the only club in Darlington to have ever held a Pro-Boxing Trainers Licence and Paul currently has 5 Pro Boxers fighting for him, having trained lads up to the British Lonsdale standard and Prize-fighter Competition. He currently has some very good new up and coming boxers that are making their way up the ranks.

He has also trained professional Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fighters such as Abdul Mohammed (former British Cage rage Champion) and Hassan Murdi, for their stand up, who have both had good success fighting competitors from across the globe.

This makes DBMA the best fight club in Europe being the only one that has all 3 types of fighters:  

Paul travels to many shows during the week nights and weekends enabling the fighters to compete as much as possible. He has also competed in various fitness events; helping raise money for charity. Some of these events include: The Great North Run (coming in the first 500) , Fittest Man in Britain, Fittest Team in Britain and Britain's Tough Guy Team Event (winning 3 times on the trot).

Some Darlington Boxing and Martial Arts Academy clients have passed entrance for the Army, Fire Brigade and Police Fire Arms.

DBMA also set up MAD (Muay Thai against Drugs) dance nights for the kids aged 11 - 17 in  Darlington, but had to put them on hold for a while due to work commitments and finding a new appropriate venue.

Paul is also available for seminars. He will travel to your gym and deliver either a thaiboxing seminar or a boxing seminar. This service is available for the North East and also further afield in the UK.

Paul is a qualified: