Boxing ‘beats the streets’ at new academy

X Box Boxing Academy on Dukeries Way, off Claylands Avenue, is the ‘dream’ of coach Chris Boyle.

He, along with former Manton ABC coaches Dean Eshelby and Adam Smith, have moved the club from their Retford Road base to a brand new facility.

Boyle told the Guardian it would allow him to branch out into new areas, reaching a wider range of local people.

Speaking after the official opening last Friday, when former professional heavyweight Dermot Gascoyne was special guest, Boyle said: “We’ve created a gym that’s a boxing academy and a fitness facility.”

“The club is a look at the future for boxing academies.”

X Box will target young people in the town, with the aim of keeping them on the straight and narrow.

The coach explained: “We’ll be doing ‘Boxing Beats Streets’, targetting hotspots for ASBO and youth problems, offering free sessions at key times like Friday and Saturday nights, as an alternative to hanging around in groups and causing trouble.”

“It’s been a long time dream of mine to create and run a boxing club for the wider community that helps keep young people safe and off the streets, doing something positive.”

“We teach structure and routine, as well as discipline – we’re a family, not a club.”

Girls Academy sessions, ladies only boxing, ‘Mr and Mrs Fitness’ nights, and classes for every gender will all form part of the X Box weekly schedule.

And Boyle says the reaction has been good so far.

“Our opening wen’t really well, it was busy.”

“Everyone who has seen the club so far loves it, loves the decor.”

“It’s a club we feel you would want to train in.”

Visit the club’s Facebook page for timetable information.