A BOXING club will be able to put on a home show for the first time in seven years after finding a new affordable base after a councillor and boxing coach fought the club's corner.

Worcester City Amateur Boxing Club has now forged a link with Archdales Club in Blackpole in Worcester after struggling to put on a home show for seven years, due to funding, Covid and venue issues.

However, the club received some support from one of their boxing coaches and Warndon's Conservative councillor, Owen Cleary, who helped find them a place where their young fighters could showcase their talents.

He has thanked Archdales for backing the club and making the plan a reality.

He set out to try and find a home for the club's shows as club leaders said some experienced boxers - one with 42 bouts under his belt - had never boxed in front of a home crowd.

The club, which still trains fighters at its Vincent Road base in Worcester, aims to put on the show at Archdales on Sunday, April 21 with 15 competitive three-round bouts (senior, junior and school level), seating around 200 people.

Tickets are expected to go on sale soon.  The club has already produced a number of great fighters, including 16-year-old Caitlyn Wise, now the Junior 54kg England Boxing Winter Box Cup Champion.

Worcester News: CHAMP: England 54kg champion Caitlyn Wise has shown her mettle and skills in the ring with Worcester City Amateur Boxing Club CHAMP: England 54kg champion Caitlyn Wise has shown her mettle and skills in the ring with Worcester City Amateur Boxing Club (Image: Supplied by Owen Cleary)

The club also boasts Midlands area champions and former national champions, proving that Worcester has always boxed well above its weight. 

Head coach Mick Underwood said: "Worcester ABC will hold a long-overdue home boxing show on the afternoon of Sunday, April 21, at the Archdales club in Blackpole.

"Worcester's boxers have not had the opportunity to show their talents on a local show for many years and we hope to make this an annual event. Please come along and support your local boxers, they won't disappoint."

Coach and Warndon councillor Owen Cleary: "This is the result of months of hard work for the boxers and coaches. Vital however, is the support our club has received from the Archdales club in my council ward. The club's facilities are excellent and we look forward to welcoming other clubs to our city. We owe a huge thank you to the Archdales club committee and we promise everyone a cracking show."

Worcester ABC is the city’s only England amateur boxing association (ABA) affiliated club, training boys and girls from age 10 upward.