Boxing club fights for its future

Colin Jones says the new building will cost around £105,000

The future of a gym where ex-European boxing champion Colin Jones started his career will be decided soon.

Penyrheol Amateur Boxing Club near Swansea is currently based in a small concrete and corrugated iron building that dates back to the 1950s.

The club is awaiting news on bids for two grants which could see new, larger premises built on the site.

Mr Jones, who fought for world titles in the 1980s, said it was in jeopardy because the premises were not suitable.

"The building has outlived its time. It's not practical any more and we're spending a fortune trying to heat it," said the former British, European and Commonwealth welterweight champion.

The club is trying to raise around £105,000 for a new building, with much of that sought through grants from the Sports Council for Wales and a fund to regenerate former mining areas.

It's given a service to the area since 1968 and it's never been closed Colin Jones, pictured left, at the age of nine

The final results of these bids are expected to be known by the end of the month.

Mr Jones, who fought three times for a world title in the early 1980s, is involved with the gym in a variety of roles including chairman and coach.

He said it was important for it to survive for the sake of the community.

"It's given a service to the area since 1968 and it's never been closed and we're competing at quite a high level," he said.

"If they took that out of the community, we would have 30 more youngsters [on the streets].

"The discipline they get from the boxing club, I like to think they take it back to the schools and when they are out locally."

He said a 25-year lease for the site had been agreed in principle with Swansea council and plans had been passed for the new building.

Training sessions are held four times a week and, although many of the boxers are teenagers, the club can accommodate fighters from the age of nine up to 34.

Mr Jones, who started his boxing career at the club at the age of nine when it opened, said he was in no doubt of its benefit to both himself and his peers.

"I was first through the door in 1968 and I dread to think what would've happened to some of the lads that came through at the same time I did - they were real toughies," he said.

"They've all turned out with good character."

Mr Jones went on to fight for the vacant WBA world title against Milton McCrory. The first fight ended in a draw but Mr Jones lost on a split decision in a rematch in Las Vegas.

He had one further world title fight but was stopped by Don Curry in four rounds.