New boxing centre will be a hit, man

Photo: Darren Robinson

Boxing clever... Hitman Ricky Hatton joins Eric Noi to launch the new centre in Greaves Street in the shell of the Victoria House building.

BOXING legend Ricky Hatton sang Oldham’s praises yesterday as hailed a new dawn for the sport in the town.

The Hitman paid a visit to the borough yesterday to officially launch a fundraising appeal that will see the derelict Victoria House in Greaves Street transformed into a state-of-the-art gym and leisure centre.

The centre will become a community hub for youngsters after the council gave the go-ahead to the Oldham Boxing and Personal Development Centre (OBPDC) taking over the building’s lease.

As well as sports and fitness training the new centre will also provide drug and alcohol programmes.

Speaking at the Old Bill restaurant, the former world champion said: “Oldham has to be congratulated for investing in the project, if every town invested in something like this the country would be a whole better place.

“Like no other sport, boxing can take kids in danger of going down the wrong path and turn them into gentlemen.

“I had no real education and now I’m a bit of a businessman who can speak quite well to crowds — I got all that from boxing.

“Everyone that walks through the door of that centre will be a better person for it.

“We can’t make a champion out of every kid, but if it can change one person’s life then it is doing a grand job.”

Organisers estimate the centre will cost £100,000 a year to run, which they are confident they can achieve with a mix of private and public sponsorship. The Amateur Boxing Association of England (ABAE) has already supported the bid with a grant to see the building reopened.

OBPDC leader Eric Noi said: “People can support us in any way they can, the best thing is that we are adding value to the lives of the people that will be coming through the door.”