The Mapperley area has a long association with the sport of boxing. From the days of bare knuckle prize-fighting though to world champions Jawaid Khaliq, Carl Froch and Leigh Wood.
Super middleweight champion Carl Froch MBE is now a broadcaster and commentator with platforms including the BBC, Sky Sports and DAZN.
Carl’s recent wedding even featured in Hello Magazine.
Behind the glamour of this local celebrity wedding, there is a lot going on in the area behind the scenes.
Nottingham’s legendary prize-fighter Bendigo was hugely successful, fighting 21 times between 1832 and 1850. His financial backer was a local man named Joseph Whitaker, known as The Duke of Limbs. Joseph Whitaker owen Ramsdale House and 1800 acres of land near Dorket Head on Mapperley Plains.
Bendigo is recorded as having fought at the location of The Travellers Rest on Mapperley Plains. This was in the days when prize-fighting took place in remote locations where the large crowds could gather.
He is also recorded as attending a boxing match at Lambley in February of 1840. Bendigo was the Champion of All England at the time and he was there to support a local man named Jack Glann in a fight with William Johnson of Leicester.
Bendigo was from Nottingham and is known throughout the boxing world as the originator of the ‘southpaw’ stance. He is also in the International Boxing Hall of Fame.
This portrait of Bendigo from 1850 is held by The National Portrait Gallery in London.
A campaign has been set up to raise money for a statue in his memory. See the Bendigo Heritage Project for more information.
Joseph Whitaker was a true sporting squire of the time. An accomplished horseman and a breeder of ‘fighting cocks’ a popular event in those days.
His nickname came from his powerful build. Described as a wealthy man with a common touch, his association with Bendigo lasted 18 years.
Amateur Boxing
At amateur level, the sport is well served in the area. There is a variety of established clubs and most offer fitness training too.
Arnold School of Boxing is based at Sherbrook Road in Daybrook.
Jawaid Khaliq Boxing and Fitness Academy is a boxing gym run by former world champion Jawaid Khaliq MBE. They are based on Hungerhill Road off Woodborough Road. Their boxing and fitness centre allows you to work on your fitness, stamina and conditioning.
Nottingham School of Boxing are based at the bottom of Woodborough Road.
Phoenix Amateur Boxing Club in Gedling. Carl Froch started out here as an amateur, as did current Commonwealth featherwight champion Leigh Wood.
