Young boxers fight back from KO blow

Nov 14 2007 by Chris Robinson, The Journal

A BOXING club severely damaged during an arson attack has fought back from the brink.

Newbiggin Boxing Club suffered thousands of pounds of damage when flames from a burning car spread to the rear of the building a month ago.

The sparring ring, used by dozens of up-and-coming boxers, was destroyed as well as valuable training equipment just weeks ahead of a national tournament.

Now young boxers at the club, in Front Street, Newbiggin by the Sea, Northumberland, are back on track thanks to the community pulling together.

Coach Paul Scott said: “Within another month we will be as good as new, if not better.

“We have just got the gym back up and running and got everything sorted out so things are looking good.

“We have had a lot of help from a lot of people in the community which has enabled us to get sorted. Everyone just seemed to help out which has meant a lot to us.

“The window has been bricked up now so this can’t happen again. The ropes have been repaired and we have managed to get some new equipment too.” More than 30 boxers train at the club five nights a week and take part in a string of regional and national competitions.

Coaches are now hoping a small group will be able to travel to a tournament in Stockholm, Sweden, next month if funding is secured.

One boxer looking forward to the trip is 16-year-old Carly Wealleans the club’s only female member.

She made it through to the national squad of the European Junior Women’s Boxing Championships in Baden Baden, Germany, only to see it postponed due to illness.

Mr Scott added: “The championship had to be postponed so we are now looking at taking her and a couple of the other boxers to a competition in Sweden.

“She was ready to go along with the rest of the team but it was called off because of illness in some of the other countries. We’re definitely looking at taking them over and it will be great experience for them.”