Right in the middle of Sydney,at a gym famous for training indigenous Australian champions, one Tongan man is making a difference. Alex Tui made his name as a world champion kick boxer. But he's now inspiring others in sport. Clement Paligaru went along to find out more.

Clement Paligaru: The suburb of Redfern in inner city Sydney is well known for its strong Aboriginal community.

The Tony Mundine gym in Redfern is famous as the place where world boxing champion Anthony Mundine trains. The gym is named after his father Tony, also a legend of Australian boxing. He started the gym with his brother, community leader Mick Mundine, more than 20 years ago to make a difference to other young Aborigines.

Tony Mundine, gym co-founder: We thought we'd build a gym, to get the kids off the street, and physically get them healthy.

Jason Morris, gym member: I was young, on the drugs and all that. If it wasn't for this gym, I probably wouldn't even be here.

Clement Paligaru: In this predominently Aboriginal community, it's a Tongan who keeps the hearts pumping.

Alex Tui, gym manager: It's just something that young boys grow up and feel they can relate to, something like kick boxing You wanna get up there and challenge yourself as a young man.

Jason Morris: I've known him ever since I've been in Reedfern. He's a real good bloke. He's helped me out a lot.

Tony Mundine: It's just a blessing that we have a guy there that can keep the gym and the spirit going in this community.

Alex Waimara, Indigenous training program: A lot of the kids make wrong choices at times. And when they see Alex Tui walk down the street they quickly make the right choices and they actually follow him into the gym.

Clement Paligaru: Alex took up kick boxing when he left Tonga for New Zealand.

Alex Tui: I used to climb coconut trees in Tonga. I am sure that contributed to me exercising and getting strong as a young man.

Clement Paligaru:Then he put Australia on the world kickboxing map when he won the country's first international title.

Alex Tui: The peak definitely as a kickboxer was to win the world title. That was the big thrill for me.

Jason Morris: You hang around someone for a few years, you end up being like them you know. I'm sort of like being like him now.

Clement Paligaru: Alex chose Redfern as his home because of the gym. But he also found more community spirit here than any other Sydney suburb.

Alex Tui: On the streets, there were dogs and kids running around, all over the place. And it felt homely for me so it reminded me of Tonga, For me, being Tongan is being part of a community and sharing with the community.

Tony Mundine: He's a good inspiration to the people in this community. He don't drink. He doesn't have drugs. He's a real inspiration to the family in general and plus to all the young kids who really want to learn and learn boxing

Alex Tui: Discipline's important for young people - whether it's for doing a sport...it's just an important quality for them to have as they grow up.

Tony Mundine: As a Tongan he inspires a lot of people. I have had him here for 20 years. And I wouldn't trade him for nobody else.