O’Tooles will mark their first six months in business by backing a big night of boxing.
The booming Byker gym are the main sponsors of the ‘Tear up on Tyneside’ show at Dunston on Saturday, September 29.
O’Tooles opened its doors in March after Tyneside businessman and well-known fight figure, Neil Conlon, transformed a former kids play-zone into a state-of-the-art Newcastle fitness emporium on Shields Road.
Neil is no stranger to backing boxing shows, he has been a loyal supporter of Forest Hall ABC and has sponsored the Summer Rumble before at the Stadium of Light and other Phil Jeffries promotions, while son James has already made a winning debut as a pro boxer.
Now, Neil has put the O’Tooles name to the Steve Wraith-Phil Jeffries promoted event at the Lancastrian Suite on the final Saturday in September when unbeaten new North-East prospects Luke Cope, Tom Hill and Terry Tyers will be in action.
“O’Tooles is a place that has something for everyone, whether they are boxers or just interested in fitness,”Neil told punch-lines.
“But we’ve always intended on putting O’Tooles on the boxing map.
“We’re not going to rush things, we’ll do it at the right pace.
“I’ve always been linked with boxing.
“I was an amateur coach at Forest Hall, where Davy Ritson and his coaches have done such a fabulous job.
“I’ve had links with amateur and professional shows and James has turned pro.
“I am pleased that O’Tooles is going to be associated with ‘Tear up on Tyneside’.
To learn more about O’Tooles and info on joining the gym click here
“I’ve worked with Jaffa a lot already, but I met Steve last week, which was nice.
“He’s ambitious, but he’s polite, amicable and very professional and someone I’m looking forward to working with.”
O’Tooles already has one professional under its roof, James Conlon, a highly-skilled southpaw.
And Neil (pictured) says another “exciting signing” is in the pipeline.
“We’re working towards bringing in a top-level international boxer,” he said. “We’re making steady progress, but when it happens, it will be an exciting signing, nit only for O’Tooles but for the whole area.”
Neil is thrilled with the way his business is developing with membership going all the time.
“We have a great coach running the boxing in Nikki Gittus and I’d like to think there is no better place for people to enjoy this sport, whether it’s a beginner starting off or a seasoned pro.”
Whichever bracket you fall into, or somewhere in between, providing you are 16 or over then O’Tooles will provide the expertise.
O’Tooles Boxing takes up the top floor of the building at 308 Shields Road, where a full-sized boxing ring takes centre stage, while there are bags and treadmills around the room. There is also a cage for those with a liking for MMA.
Downstairs is the state-of-the-art O’Tooles Health & Fitness, managed by Neil McVicar.
Words: Roy Kelly
