Champ visits new boxing gym (From Warrington Guardian)

Champ visits new boxing gym

10:20am Friday 19th October 2012 in News

A NEWLY opened Padgate boxing gym was given an early boost when British boxing champion Martin Murray dropped in for a visit.

The world championship hopeful visited the gym on Marsh House Lane which has been opened to help tackle anti-social behaviour in the area.

Murray believes it can have a positive impact on youngsters and help breed future fighters.

He said: “I do a lot of youth work myself when we go into schools with naughty kids and try to help them.

“I think these types of places can help with boxing, it is great for kids.

“It can teach them discipline, healthy eating and it gives them something to focus on.

“I think it is brilliant because it opens another window for them.

“The gym I used when I won my ABA title was like this one.

“These are usually the best places where you get the lads that are fighters, when they really want to do it.

“I live around the area and did not know it was here, but now I’ll be dropping in.”

Passionate boxer and former regional title holder John Murphy, aged 51, of Elaine Street, Padgate, has opened the gym.

He said: “I had been thinking about starting a gym because it is something that I have always wanted to do.

“We put a couple of punch bags up and then it just exploded.

“Boxing is something that I’m really passionate about.

“It is like a family thing.

“We have mums and dads training together with their kids.

“There is no swearing, no bad manners and we just teach them respect more than anything else.

“It is very important for kids to have somewhere like this to come.

“It is something different for them and gets them away from the Playstation.

“Since we have opened there are no kids hanging around or drinking.

“We can see the change already.”

All ages and abilities are welcome at the gym.

Sessions cost £1 for children and £2 for adults per hour.

For more information call John on 07543 042498.