A well-known boxing club in the heart of Sunderland has found a new home.
Sunderland Amateur Boxing Club (ABC) has left their old location behind, moving into Havelock Tower on the city’s Hylton Road.
After their formation in 1968, Sunderland ABC had previously operated from Barnes Junior School and has seen a number of now famous faces move through its ranks, while chasing stardom.
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Olympic bronze medallist Tony Jeffries, England Boxing National Junior Champion Laylie Heath, and ex-Bellator contender Callum Ellenor are just a few of the superstars the boxing club has moulded since their humble beginnings in the late 60's.
The club has pulled no punches and invested heavily in the refit, taking it from an unused Duke of Edinburgh Awards Centre to a state-of-the-art boxing gym.
Club Chairman Owen McGhin said: “We’re very excited about this move and the opportunities that it will bring for the club.
“We’ve always been committed to bringing the benefits of boxing training for positive mental and physical health, and we’re proud of the work we’ve done in the city over the last 53 years.
“We have some great memories of our old gym and we trained some fantastic fighters there. But this amazing space will allow us to bring a new dynamic to the club, offer better facilities and hopefully attract more young people to become involved.
“We’re ready to produce even more great local boxing talent in our new home.”
Associate Solicitor and Real Estate Expert at Muckle LLP, Giles McCourt, negotiated the lease on behalf of the club.
Speaking on the relocation of the boxing club, he said: “I am delighted to have been able to support the team at Sunderland Amateur Boxing Club as they move to their new gym.
“Their old premises, which have clearly served them well for the past 53 years, weren’t fit for purpose – particularly in light of what the club wants to achieve in the future. I can’t wait to see the talent that they produce in their new home.”
And Owen also praised the help of Giles throughout the transitioning period, adding: “Working with Giles and the team at Muckle has been fantastic.
"Giles has made the whole process so easy, and his experience and expertise were vital in securing the site of our new home.”
