The fighters, who all competed in the Olympics, were among seven Cameroonians who left the Olympic Village during the Games without telling officials where they were going.

Nothing had been heard of them until they turned up unannounced at a small boxing gym in New Cross, in South London, and asked whether they could take part in a training session.  

Christian Donfack Adjoufack, 26, Thomas Essomba (pictured above), 24, Yhyacinthe Mewoli Abdon, 26, Serge Ambomo, 26 and Blaise Yepmou Menouo, 27, all participated in the workout with the head coach Patrick Harris at the Double Jab Boxing Club, whose motto is "jab don't stab".

"We were all gobsmacked when they turned up," said Jim Addis, Double Jab's assistant coach.

"We were even more dumbfounded when we realised who they were as we know they'd gone missing after being eliminated from the Games.

"They knew of Patrick and asked especially for him.

"They all took part in sparring sessions and it was one of the best we've ever had.

"It was amazing.

"The gym was packed and the atmosphere was super, it was one of the best nights we've had.

"It was a great honour to have them train in the gym, we were all over the moon.

"They have promised to come back for more training.

"It's been great for the club and we couldn't be more honoured."

Serge Ambomo of Cameroon, exchanges punches with Turkey's Yakup Sener during his first round defeat in the light welterweight event at London 2012 at ExCeL before he walked out of the Olympic Village

The five boxers told him where they were staying in London but would not reveal their addresses, although they have not commited any offence because their Olympic accreditation allows them to stay in Britain until November, after which they would need permission to stay.

"They told me they wanted to stay here and were very keen to come back to the club," said Addis.

"We all want to help them as much as we can and understand they will be applying to stay here."

More than a dozen African athletes went missing during the Olympics and most are still unaccounted for, including the Cameroonian footballer and swimmer who left the Village at the same time as the boxers.

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