The Mapperley area has a long association with boxing. From the days of bare knuckle prizefighting though to world super middleweight champion Carl Froch MBE. Carl’s recent wedding was 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.
Legendary prize fighter 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. 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. A campaign has been set up to raise money for a statue in his memory. See the Bendigo Memorial Fund for more information.
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 Our 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.