Manchester has a long history of producing championship boxers. From Tyson Fury who trained at Jimmy Egan’s Boxing Academy in Wythenshawe, to Anthony Crolla who fought out of Gallagher’s Gym in Bolton, and of course Hyde’s Ricky Hatton who trained under Billy Graham at Phil Martin’s Champs Camp in Moss Side.
There’s no shortage of big names and talented coaches associated with the city. But what if you’re not a promising young teenager with your eye on a title? Where can you go as an adult to train like a boxer and learn how to fight?
Here are eight places that offer high-quality boxing classes where anyone can go along, whatever your age or ability. We’ve been to (nearly) all of them and they were all really welcoming, so if you like the look of one, don’t let nerves hold you back. Get your gloves on and give it a go.
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AltrinchamBells Gym
More detailsBells Gym opened in Altrincham in 2013, bringing a busy timetable of boutique boxing and fitness classes to the town.
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Manchester City CentreBLOK Manchester
More detailsBLOK is popular thanks to the variety of classes on offer at its Manchester studios (you can do strength, various forms of yoga, boxing, barre, calisthenics, HIIT, meditation, pilates, reformer pilates and more).
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HarpurheyCollyhurst and Moston ABC
More detailsWith its 100-year history and impressive list of professional and amateur fighters, Collyhurst and Moston ABC is one of Manchester’s best-known boxing clubs. It’s also one of its most active with well-attended sessions for juniors and adults five nights a week, plus school holiday activities and regular boxing shows.
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ArdwickCorner HQ
More detailsThis boxing gym next to Mayfield Park doubles as the headquarters of boxing tech company Corner, hence the name Corner HQ. While the tech developers tap away on their computers upstairs, the downstairs is devoted to the sport itself with a boxing ring, bags, strength equipment, and indoor and outdoor workout space, plus changing rooms.
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EcclesEccles Boxing School
More detailsThe top floor of Bridgewater Mill was a derelict shell when Eccles Boxing School founder Brian Gardner first laid eyes on it. But he saw it had the potential to become something much more, and over the next few years, he fixed it up, got rid of the roosting pigeons, and fitted it out as a boxing gym.
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Green QuarterFighting Fit
More detailsThe first thing you see when you step into this under-the-arches gym near Victoria Station is the long line of medals on the wall.
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Moss SideMoss Side Fire Station Boxing Club
More detailsMoss Side Fire Station Boxing Club was set up in 2008 by three firefighters who wanted to give local kids something to do that’d keep them off the streets and on the right track in life.
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SalfordSalford Lads Club
More detailsBoxing has been taught at Salford Lads Club since it opened back in 1903. The founders, the Groves brothers, wanted to get the local lads off the streets and out of the gangs, and boxing was one way to do that.
