Tom Holland is known for swinging through New York City as Spider-Man, but recently the British actor proved he has genuine skills in the boxing ring. When a clip of Holland hitting the pads went viral, fans and boxing enthusiasts alike agreed on one thing: he looks really good for an amateur.
During a conversation, Holland opened up about his athletic background and passion for combat sports. Before his days performing in Billy Elliot and eventually landing the role of Spider-Man, Holland attended Rugby School where he played flanker for his team. The physical demands of rugby prepared him well for the rigorous training required for his film roles.
Holland’s love for boxing runs deep. “I love boxing. I spent a few years since I’ve done any sort of training. I used to go to this great gym in New York called Church Street Boxing,” he explained.
The actor appreciates boxing not just as a workout but as an outlet for releasing energy in a controlled, disciplined way. “Boxing is such a great release,” he noted. “You see these young kids who are angry who need to let something go, go and punch a bag for an hour, that will calm you down.”
The actor’s technical knowledge of the sport is evident when discussing his favorite star. He expressed admiration for Vasyl Lomachenko, praising the Ukrainian boxer’s exceptional footwork rooted in his dance training background. Holland also reminisced about watching Prince Naseem Hamed with his father, marveling at the British boxer’s fluid movement and showmanship.
“He is so effortless. I love the way he used to move,” Holland said.
When it comes to boxing films, Holland is a dedicated fan. Rocky 2 holds a special place in his heart from his Billy Elliot days, when he watched it repeatedly backstage between performances. He’s expressed interest in eventually starring in a boxing film himself, even floating the creative idea of making a movie where the outcome depends on real fight results.
