Guildford City Boxing Club (formerly Guildford City ABC) is a boxing and fitness club based at the Boxing Hall on Cabell Road in Guildford. The historic club started life as the Onslow Lions, way back in the 1920s, and although it is not confirmed, there is strong reason to believe they are the oldest boxing club in Surrey.
The little known about Guildford City Boxing Club is one of Guildford’s best kept secrets, having previously been housed on Bellfield Road, in a small, unassuming property. For over 14 years, this authentic, spit-and-sawdust boxing gym has been teaching, training and showcasing amateur and professional boxers. And after a failed move to the Guildford Corporation Club in 2013 when they had seen an influx in memberships from 10 to 100 in only a five year period, they finally got their much needed move to larger premises in 2014!
The club was voted one of the top 50 gyms by Timeout in 2008 for a variety of reasons, including the success of its members such as 13 year old pair Joseph Smith and John Lee who were awarded Lonsdale Golden Gloves this year after winning the National Schoolboys Championships. And let’s not forget champion boxers Felix Cash and Jake Ball who are currently in GB Boxing’s Podium Potential squad, part of the countdown to the 2016 Rio Olympics.
However, Guildford City Boxing Club is not just about champion boxers, it provides ‘Boxing for All’, for all those who want to compete, take on a new challenge, wanting to learn the art and techniques of boxing and for those searching for an extreme workout. There are sessions available for beginners and casual boxers, women’s and girl’s boxing, competition and pro boxers, as well as one to one group sessions with a Senior England and GB boxing coach for personal training.
Guildford City Boxing Club is a busy, friendly club that is open to all, including absolute beginners. It is casual and welcoming and is a great place to make friends and learn a great discipline under skilled tutelage. So, if you want to give it a shot, just turn up on a training night in comfortable clothes and ask for Paul or John, or alternatively take a look at their website HERE for opening hours and contact details.
James Martin