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Barry McGuigan opens Southampton boxing club
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| Echo picture by Matthew Watson. Order no: 6637020 |
BOXING legend Barry McGuigan proved a knockout attraction when he officially opened the Golden Ring Boxing Club in Southampton.
Hundreds of fans crammed into Mansel Park Pavilion in Millbrook to meet the former world featherweight champion as he unveiled a plaque in honour of the club's founder Freddie Potter.
Freddie, 68, who is currently receiving treatment for throat cancer, was allowed out of Southampton General Hospital for a few hours to see the hall named the Freddie Potter Boxing Hall.
The club was started more than 25 years ago in Southampton by Freddie and has moved around the city to different homes over the years.
Mr McGuigan, 47, told the Daily Echo: "It's one of the best boxing gyms I have ever seen. I was told the last facilities in Freemantle were very sparse, old-fashioned and limited but this is fabulous. It's in an area where there are a lot of kids running about with idle time so it's the perfect combination to produce champions.
"The standard of boxing around here is good. You know that if you are fighting a kid from this area then you are up against it."
The Irish boxer has tasted success outside the ring when he was crowned winner of ITV's Hell's Kitchen in 2007 after a public vote.
9:10am Tuesday 29th April 2008
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CommentPosted by: mo, soton on 10:07am Tue 29 Apr 08
thats the problem bazza, teach them to fight and normal people will be up against it when the kids more confident in being aggresive/violent.
thats the problem bazza, teach them to fight and normal people will be up against it when the kids more confident in being aggresive/violent.
Posted by: Here, There on 10:52am Tue 29 Apr 08
Its great to see that so many came together to make the gym possible and that those involved with the club continue to work hard in order for the youth to have the opportunity to become disciplined, with diet, attitude, fitness etc...which can only benefit the community as a whole, the lads that attend this gym will not be the kind of lads out at 9,10 o'clock drinking on street corners.
To mo sotons comment, those that are on the street at the minute have too much confidence already, it is just not channeled in the right area, teach them a discipline such as this and they will no longer feel the need to be aggressive/violent outside of this controlled environment
Its great to see that so many came together to make the gym possible and that those involved with the club continue to work hard in order for the youth to have the opportunity to become disciplined, with diet, attitude, fitness etc...which can only benefit the community as a whole, the lads that attend this gym will not be the kind of lads out at 9,10 o'clock drinking on street corners.
To mo sotons comment, those that are on the street at the minute have too much confidence already, it is just not channeled in the right area, teach them a discipline such as this and they will no longer feel the need to be aggressive/violent outside of this controlled environment
Posted by: Stuart, SOUTHAMPTON on 10:55am Tue 29 Apr 08
Sorry Mo but non of our registered boxers has ever been in trouble with the police in our 25 year history. We say if you are in trouble with the police, you are not allowed in the gym. We educate them on why they should not drink, take drugs and smoke and also not to be bully's. I could give you 10 ways we do this but you would have to come to the gym as I don't have time to write all the reasons here.
Sorry Mo but non of our registered boxers has ever been in trouble with the police in our 25 year history. We say if you are in trouble with the police, you are not allowed in the gym. We educate them on why they should not drink, take drugs and smoke and also not to be bully's. I could give you 10 ways we do this but you would have to come to the gym as I don't have time to write all the reasons here.
Posted by: Stephen Smith, Southampton on 11:26am Tue 29 Apr 08
An all too familier narrow minded post.
There a a very small minority of ill behaved individuals in the boxing gym's. And as Stuart posted, ill behaved individuals are not welcome unless that can prove they will change there ways.
Thugs will be thugs, period. At least if some of them are taken off the streets for only a couple of hours a week, they are still off the streets for a couple of hours a week, with a change of seeking a new ambition in life.
Bazza didn't turn out to be a half decent human being now did he?
I think it's great the clubs like Golden Ring have people involved that are prepared to give up there time for free to give kids a chance at doing something in life.
What have you done for free in your spare time to help society Mo???
An all too familier narrow minded post.
There a a very small minority of ill behaved individuals in the boxing gym's. And as Stuart posted, ill behaved individuals are not welcome unless that can prove they will change there ways.
Thugs will be thugs, period. At least if some of them are taken off the streets for only a couple of hours a week, they are still off the streets for a couple of hours a week, with a change of seeking a new ambition in life.
Bazza didn't turn out to be a half decent human being now did he?
I think it's great the clubs like Golden Ring have people involved that are prepared to give up there time for free to give kids a chance at doing something in life.
What have you done for free in your spare time to help society Mo???
Posted by: Steve, West End on 3:16pm Tue 29 Apr 08
Totally agree with Stuart. Boxing is great for young people to gain discipline, confidence and self-esteem. They should never have taken boxing away from schools.
Everyone moans about young people being "thugs" and "normal people" being at risk. What about the kids that get attacked? Young people are entitled to be able to look after themselves too. There should be more facilities like this available across the city. Well done guys!!
Totally agree with Stuart. Boxing is great for young people to gain discipline, confidence and self-esteem. They should never have taken boxing away from schools.
Everyone moans about young people being "thugs" and "normal people" being at risk. What about the kids that get attacked? Young people are entitled to be able to look after themselves too. There should be more facilities like this available across the city. Well done guys!!
Posted by: Jackie Hill, Southampton on 6:58pm Tue 29 Apr 08
My son has been a member of Golden Ring ABC for 11 years.He is now 22 years old and has never hung around on street corners,nor ever had an acoholic drink in his life.He has never had any encounters with the police or any fights outside of the ring.As parents we would like to express our thanks to Stuart Gill for being a friend and mentor to our son.
My son has been a member of Golden Ring ABC for 11 years.He is now 22 years old and has never hung around on street corners,nor ever had an acoholic drink in his life.He has never had any encounters with the police or any fights outside of the ring.As parents we would like to express our thanks to Stuart Gill for being a friend and mentor to our son.
Posted by: Farts on 9:07pm Tue 29 Apr 08
Just wanted to say how proud i am of my peaheaded friend. what you and your team has achieved against all the odds is amazing and so many young people will benefit from it for many many years to come
Just wanted to say how proud i am of my peaheaded friend. what you and your team has achieved against all the odds is amazing and so many young people will benefit from it for many many years to come
Posted by: Alex, soton on 5:51am Wed 30 Apr 08
Boxing good for you is, now what was I saying, oh yea , me names punchy.
Boxing good for you is, now what was I saying, oh yea , me names punchy.
Posted by: Stuart, SOUTHAMPTON on 8:05am Thu 1 May 08
Well said Alex, you must box for one of the Pompey clubs.....
Well said Alex, you must box for one of the Pompey clubs.....
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