VICTORIA Point man Jerry Gilbert is still throwing haymakers in the boxing gym less than one month out from his 75th birthday.
Gilbert, whose passion for boxing has taken him around Australia, is among the oldest members of Redland City Boxing.
Born in Auckland, the 74-year-old - known in boxing circles as the Silver Fox - trains about four days a week to keep fit in retirement.
His weekly schedule consists of three lessons with boxing instructor Brent Sankey and one early morning yoga session with Julie Simmons.
He said it was pleasing to see so many older people taking to the gym to stay fit.
"It amazes me because I have been around for a long time," Gilbert said. "To see these older guys there is great, health wise.
"He (Brent) has the time and patience to do all that and it is a healthy thing for all the older guys.
"When I go down to his gym and see all these guys having a go I think to myself 'that is great'.
"I do it just to keep healthy and it is one of the greatest exercises you can get. To me it is better than all the vitamins you can take"
Gilbert is no stranger to the ring, having trained a number of young fighters and put on more than a few bouts in Western Australia while working as a crane driver on a FIFO contract.
He took to the ring on just one occasion during his career, with his passion lying in training young fighters.
"I have been around a bit," Gilbert said. "It (boxing) has been a passion of mine all my life."
Gilbert said the key to staying healthy in old age was not taking vitamin pills but maintaining an exercise routine.
Redland City Boxing coach Brent Sankey praised Gilbert for his work ethic at training.
"He is a shining light for people to understand that just because you get a bit older doesn't mean you have to sit in a nursing home," he said.
"He has been around that game (boxing) for a number of years so it is a social and fitness outlet for him.
"It is good for your headspace and good for you physically. You also need that sense of community which is what Redland City Boxing is all about."
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