Collyhurst and Moston ABC

With 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.

The club was ran for many years by legendary boxing trainer Brian Hughes, who sadly passed away in 2022. When he retired back in 2011, two of his professional boxers, Tommy McDonagh and Pat Barrett, took the helm and they’ve been steering the club forwards ever since.

Collyhurst and Moston ABC is represented at all levels of the boxing world. You’ll see kids as young as eight attending their first-ever classes, while pro-fighters spar in the ring next door ahead of their next big stadium show.Zelfa Barrett (European champion) and Lyndon Arthur (Commonwealth champion) are both from this club.

Watching the kids train, you can see how world-class fighters are built here. You can witness them improving in the space of a round when they’re working one-on-one with the coaches.

For a club with such a long history and clear impact on the local community, it seems a shame that there isn’t more money flowing in; the gym itself is in need of a spruce-up. There’s a sponsorship opportunity here for a savvy Manchester brand that wants to be associated with this famous club.

Boxing classes at Collyhurst and Moston ABC

New people of all abilities are always welcome at their classes. Junior and adult sessions run on Monday, Wednesday and Friday evenings for £3 (first one free). No need to book ahead, just turn up. Go to www.collyhurstandmostonboxing.co.uk for full details.