Darren Chanagasubbay is a Pro Boxing Coach and the Co-Founder and Director of Fight Operations at Regans Fight Champions, the “UK’s premier boxing, martial arts, and fitness gym.” He is also a student on our BSc in Strength and Conditioning.  

In this article, Darren shared insights into his successful competitive sporting career, studying strength and conditioning and offers some valuable advice for other coaches and those hoping to open their own business. 

Career Highlights

From a young age, Darren was involved in the sporting world where he had to overcome some challenges before going on to excel in his sport. “I have been practising karate since I was about six years old. Initially, I faced significant challenges because I was a severe asthmatic. Over time I discovered that training helped improve both asthma and overall fitness,” he shared. Although he hadn’t initially planned on competing, Darren excelled at a young age, winning junior titles.  

Alongside karate, he also began boxing, a sport that ran in his family. By 16, he was competing against adults in full-contact competitions. “I started training at the local boxing gym. My competitive drive grew, and by the age of 16, my coach entered me into full-contact competitions against adults, which I started winning,” Darren said. 

By the age of 21, Darren had represented England in Kyokushin karate and become a permanent member of the Great Britain squad, a position he held until he was 38. Later in his career, he transitioned to kickboxing and Muay Thai where he continued to excel winning many titles. 

Throughout his career, Darren won numerous titles and podium finishes including regional, British, European, and world championships. “I earned multiple accolades, such as best technician awards and fastest knockouts, including a 9.5-second knockout in an entire tournament,” he shared. 

Making the Transition into Coaching 

It was through an introduction from his karate coach to renowned coach Keith Morgan that Darren first became interested in strength and conditioning. “Watching him create tailored training plans for athletes of various sports was fascinating. He guided me, showing the importance of strength and conditioning in sport. Keith’s mentorship significantly contributed to my success, and I owe much of my progress to his expertise,” Darren shared.  

Since then Darren has carved out a successful career in coaching, where he has worked alongside Adam Booth as his Assistant Coach, a role that he defined as “a career-defining experience,” co-founded Regans Fight gym and worked with some of the biggest athletes in the industry such as David Haye (Former 2-weight World Champion), George Groves (Former World Champion), Andy Lee (Former World Champion), Ryan Burnett (World Champion), Selçuk Aydın (World Title Challenger) and Mike Perez (World Title Challenger). 

Regans Fight Champions is a facility that has been endorsed by multiple champions, catering for all levels from beginners to those in the amateur/professional fight circuit. For those who are interested in opening their own gym, Darren shared some valuable advice. 

  • “Stay Resilient: Tough times will come, but persistence and staying true to your goals will help you succeed.” 
  • “Start Simple: Don’t overwhelm yourself with too many offerings or classes initially—it can cause unnecessary stress and expenses.” 
  • “Embrace the Journey: Treat every challenge as a learning opportunity. Mistakes will happen, but accepting and learning from them quickly is key.” 

Studying with Setanta 

“Sport and training have become far more scientific over the years. Methodologies evolve, new testing measures emerge, and research continuously updates best practices. To stay relevant and meet the demands of modern sport, coaches must keep learning and evolving,” Darren stated. 

“I needed a flexible programme to balance work and study. Setanta’s online delivery was ideal,” he shared. 

Darren is now in his second year of the BSc in Strength and Conditioning, successfully balancing his studies alongside his career. “I’m now in my second year and it has been an amazing journey. From the start, their team, particularly Ben, was incredibly supportive,” he said. 

“Despite struggling with dyslexia, the lecturers and team have been incredibly accommodating, leaving no stone unturned to support me. Their care and attention have helped me believe in my academic abilities. The team are always available for guidance,” he shared. “Their guidance reassured me that I was on the right path and I feel confident I can achieve my dream.”  

The Impact of Studying S&C 

Through Setanta’s flexible programme delivery, Darren has been able to excel in both his studies and his career. “Studying strength and conditioning has been transformative. I’ve been able to immediately apply what I have learned in real-life scenarios,” he said. “My passion for the field has grown, and I’ve gained incredible knowledge and connections. Being around like-minded individuals and diving into my studies has already made me a better coach.” 

For other coaches who are in a similar situation to Darren, he offered the following advice: “Go for it! I’m 47, and I’ve realised it’s never too late. Don’t wait—you’ll be surprised how quickly time flies. If you’re passionate about sport and its science, Setanta will take you on an incredible journey.” 

Future Goals 

Looking ahead, Darren hopes to continue making an impact through coaching and education. 

“I aim to help people achieve their fitness and sporting goals, whether for general health or competitive success,” he shared. “I’d love to pursue a master’s degree with Setanta and even help teach future students one day. My ultimate goal is to make a difference in people’s lives through coaching and education.”