SPORT - Borough's boxing punching back

By Max Colchester

AFTER 20 years on the ropes, boxing in Islington is on the rocky road to return.

The Times Boxing Club has announced a gala fight night at the Business Design Centre(BDC) between an Islington select side and a Northern Irish team from Derry.

Big name boxing promoter Frank Warren may be attending this showcase event, which will raise money for Islington’s cash-strapped premier boxing club.

The club, which trains local fighters of all ages, is hosting the boxing gala at the Copenhagen Street venue in Angel, on Friday May 11.

Around 300 guests are hoping to be entertained by an uppercut spectacle of ten junior and senior bouts.

The BDC normally charges £10,000 a night for the Gallery Hall but the club will not have to pay a penny for the privilege and will be pocketing the proceeds from the event.

Dave Ryan, the head trainer at Times Boxing, said: “We going to put on a large pucker show. It looks like everyone wants to be a part of it. We have got some major boxing promoters and quite a few companies involved.

He added: "We should raise a considerable amount of money.”

A sell-out night of glamour has been promised, and the majority of the 25 tables have already been sold with tickets going at £60 a head.

Ryan said the idea came about thanks to members of staff at the BDC who train at the club.

“They decided to help us," he said. "They want to do something for boxing. I think that shows a change in attitude towards the sport. Until the last Olympics people were anti-boxing. Now they realise it’s a saver. It keeps the kids off the streets.”

Ryan hopes that the fight night will pave the way for future live matches. He said: “If it all goes well we hope to make this a regular thing.”

The club was originally formed as part of The Times newspaper in 1927. It has been widely credited with supporting young people from all backgrounds.

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