History of Southport ABC
Lancashire – England

In 1970 a boxing club was set up at Southport YMCA by the late Tommy Walker. Tommy had boxed for the army (130 fights) and for the next 20 odd years gave up a lot of his spare time. Teaching all that wanted to learn the noble art four times a week. Tommy became an ABA coach and did it purely for the love of the sport never benefiting financially from it himself. The club used to hold its own shows sometimes at the YMCA and other times at Southport floral hall. Literally hundreds of lads where trained by Tommy and even if they didn’t learn all the skills needed they all left better for having a little knowledge of the sport.

In 1984 Jon Lund started at the club and became an ABA coach in 1991. During the 90’s not many of the clubs boxers competed but the club still turned up for the occasional show. In November 1999 after almost 30 years at the YMCA the club moved to fitness one. However, due to work commitments only trained once a week but at least the club stayed alive, the club was there for three years until the property was put up for sale.

The New Gym

In January 2003 Southport ABC joined forces with the Elite thai & kickboxing club run by former British Champion Phil Barton. Phil had also needed a new place to train so it made sense getting a gym together and sharing the rent. It’s a great gym purpose built for boxers/ kickboxers with a raised 14ft ring and bag area. The new gym can be found at Unit 11 Canning Commercial Park, Canning Road, Southport PR9 7SW. Paul joined the club in 2003 and became an assistant ABA coach in 2006. In early 2006 Phil moved out of the gym and we now share with a karate and grappling club.

We now train 4 times a week:
Mon 9.15 – 10.30am
Tue 6.30 – 8.00pm
Fri 6.15 - 8.00pm
Sun 11.00 – 12.30pm

Honourable Secretary – Jon Lund – 07718 262090