Josh Kelly is giving his backing to a Sunderland boxing club under threat of closure.
Sunderland Golden Gloves ABC fear for their future after a rent increase at their gym allied to a lack of funds in these difficult financial times.
Now Kelly, who fights in his home city this Saturday against Colombia’s Placido Ramirez, has stepped in to help the club and hopes more support will follow from throughout the area.
“Sunderland Golden Gloves does an incredible job in the local community,” said the 29-year-old world-ranked number one super-welterweight.
“They provide a safe and positive environment for young people.and the work they do can’t be overstated.
“It keeps kids off the streets and gives them a focus.
“Boxing is not just good for fitness, it’s great for mental health and it teaches you so much.
“I was very saddened to hear about the difficulties Golden Gloves were having.
“Their rent has gone up and the only money coming in was from the few quid a week the boxers pay in subs.
“I’ve said I’ll help with their costs and I hope me getting involved might just raise awareness of the club and the great work Richie Dunn and his people do at Golden Gloves.
“It would be great if they could get more funding so they don’t just survive but grow and have a bright future.
“The kids there deserve that and so does the area.”
Kelly’s promoters, Wasserman, have also backed Golden Gloves, with Kalle Sauerland, Global Head of Boxing, saying: “When Josh alerted us to the situation at Sunderland Golden Gloves, we felt compelled to act and help them.
“Amateur boxing clubs are the lifeblood of our sport and produce great champions like Josh, who is an idol in Sunderland.
“But, more importantly, amateur boxing clubs are anchor points in communities in this country, they are a sanctuary and a place where young people learn so many important life lessons. It is said many times but it’s true: amateur boxing clubs save lives.”
The club, based in Hylton Castle, first opened its doors in 2021 but Dixon told the Sunderland Echo at the start of December how difficult times are.
“Every funding we apply for, we just get knocked back,” he said.
“We’re trying to keep 40 kids off the streets and give them the life skills, respect and discipline they’ll need to get a job and so on – but it’s getting harder.
“All the parents have dug deep, running raffles and much more. But there’s got to be a wider spectrum than just in-house funding.
“We’ve managed to keep afloat since 2021 through a lot of hard work. But it won’t be long before the shutters come down and there’ll be no club.”
Words: Roy Kelly
