£1.2m Greater Manchester Boxing and Development hub opens, championing the transformative power of sport

The new £1.2m Greater Manchester Boxing and Development hub has opened in Oldham, with the aim of championing the transformative power of sport.

The hub, led by former professional and amateur international boxer Eric Noi, has been completely redeveloped with support from the Community Ownership Fund, Sport England, Greater Manchester Police, and the Architectural Heritage Fund (AHF).

AHF provided crucial early-stage support that enabled the successful Community Asset Transfer and later funding bids, making the redevelopment possible.

The project has also been supported by Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council, which transferred ownership of the building to the charity, ensuring its long-term sustainability.

The hub, led by former Olympic boxer Eric, has been completely redeveloped with support from Sport England and the Community Ownership Fund.

The venue has a proud legacy of grassroots boxing and social impact, now reimagined to serve young people from across the whole of Greater Manchester.

“This isn’t just about boxing - it’s about partnership and collaboration,” said Eric. 

“We live in fractured times, and we can only move forward together.

"It takes a village to raise a child  and partnership of organisations to raise a citizen.

"With partners like Positive Steps and Mahdlo Youth Zone, we’re showing the true power of collaboration.

"We believe in the transformative power of sport.”

A hub built on hope and hard work

The official reopening was attended by Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham, alongside Oldham leaders and partners Sport England and also from across the region.

Mr Burnham praised the initiative as a model for community sport and youth engagement, saying: “Sport should be a right.

"Every young person should have the right to walk into a place like this.

"Boxing builds discipline, focus and a culture of giving back.

"I’m backing you completely - make sure this place changes as many lives as possible.”

Stories of transformation

Guests heard powerful testimonies from people whose lives have been shaped by the hub’s work.

Kyle Tullin, who joined the club at 13 who had to face many challenges on his pathway including being the victim of an horrendous knife attack, is now a Team GB boxer.

He credited the gym with helping him find purpose and pride, saying: “Boxing is everything to me.

"It’s made me demand the best version of myself.

"There’s only one gym that compares to this - and that’s the Team GB one.”

Wesley Blades, who rebuilt his life after serving a prison sentence with Oldham Boxing And Personal Development Centre, now works with the Greater Manchester Violence Reduction Unit, mentoring young people to avoid the mistakes he once made: 

He said: “Boxing gave me the chance to be part of something.

"It showed me there’s another way.”

Oldham’s legacy, Greater Manchester’s future

The reopening comes just days after the funeral of Manchester boxing legend Ricky Hatton, who first opened the club and embodied the ethos of giving back through boxing.

Burnham reflected: “It’s fitting that this reopens in the same week we said goodbye to Ricky - he always gave back.

"This place carries that spirit forward.”

The Greater Manchester Boxing and Development Hub will continue to provide training, mentoring, and education programmes designed to engage young people, reduce violence, and strengthen communities across the city-region. 

“Oldham and Greater Manchester are fighting for futures, not just titles,” said Eric.

“This is what real change looks like.”

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