Champ's shock at boxing club rent hike >vid
Champion boxer Luke Campbell said he would be "devastated" if the club that helped put him on the road to sporting success was to close.
Last November, the 21-year-old became the first British fighter for 47 years to win a gold medal in the European Amateur Boxing Championships.
He puts a large part of his success down to St Paul's Amateur Boxing Club and its coach Mick Bromby.
But the club is facing an uncertain future after Hull City Council demanded a new annual rent of £7,700 – up from the annual peppercorn fee of £1,106 the club pays at the moment.
The council owns the premises above the Indoor Market in Old Town where the club is based.
Luke, who is currently away in Sheffield with the England boxing team, still trains at the club up to three times a week as part of his preparations for the London 2012 Olympics where he hopes to win a medal.
Speaking about the rent increase, he said: "I am gob-smacked. I can't believe it. St Paul's is where it all began for me. It is my club. It's home.
"This place gets kids off the streets. Hull City Council should be supporting Mick's work and the club."
Luke, who grew up in west Hull but now lives in Hessle, first walked through the doors of St Paul's when he was just 13.
"Straight away, I felt so at home," he said.
"Mick took me under his wing and showed me the ropes.
"The club has been brilliant. It's the whole atmosphere that is so supportive.
"It's run by volunteers, guys who give up their nights. They could be sat at home chilling out, but they are down there helping lads like me get better."
The club has been training boxers since the 1950s and according to Mr Bromby, it has always paid a peppercorn rent.
Luke has proved to be the most successful fighter in its history and there are about 100 members, both boys and girls, from the age of six upwards, hoping to develop their fitness and confidence or even emulate his success.
After his historic win last year, Luke showed off his medal to club members in the hope of inspiring future talent.
Luke said: "St Paul's has helped put this city on the map. I am proof.
"It just seems silly the council is doing this. There could be more people like me come through the club.
"The set-up at the club could not be better. It is where I have met most of my friends over the years. People socialise there. Everyone knows each other."
The council's decision comes after it announced price increases at its leisure centres across the city.
The move prompted outcry from parents and leaders and members of other sports clubs who said it could jeopardise the future of budding sports stars.
3 Comments
by Shelly, Hull
Thursday, April 16 2009, 9:56AM
“Ice hockey set ups in most rinks around the country are paid for by the players themselves. (with exception of the mens professional teams who's ice time is usually sponsored) Ice time isnt cheap anywhere and most rinks are in use round the clock (have trained at 1am before now) with subs up to £50 a month its hardly the same as boxers paying £1 per week is it? Figure skating and public skating sessions also contribute massively to the 'rent' at a rink.
I don't agree with what the council is doing at all, I think its terrible to deprive kids of sport of any kind!”
by paul, hull
Thursday, April 16 2009, 7:21AM
“One of the reasons the Ice Hockey team get reduced price rent, is the fact that they bring in a lot of outside money to the city from away fans, something unfortunatley a boxing gym cant.
I agree the council should provide these free of charge and add a little more to the council tax, afterall if it keeps the kids off the streets then it is a great way of spending our tax, but not exactly a vote winner is it.”
by Left jab, HULL
Thursday, April 16 2009, 6:32AM
“St. Pauls ABC is an excellent club. Could someone tell me how much the ice hockey set up have been paying in rent to use the ice area for all these years in comparison to the rent St, Pauls are being asked to pay? Genuine question.”