But Brendan Ingle’s gym in Wincobank has always punched well above its weight on the international boxing stage, with the great man training a slew of British and world champions including the likes of ‘Prince’ Naseem Hamed and Kell Brook. The gym is still going strong despite the man who made it such a globally renowned cradle of the sport having sadly died in 2018.
Here are 13 photos of the famous gym and the people who have made it tick over the years.
5. New boxer Roger Sampson
Pictured is St Thomas Gym's new boxer Roger Sampson (centre) surrounded by the champions from Brendan Ingle's Gym. LtoR.Dave Coldwell( Central Area Flyweight Champion), Buster Keeton (WBO Intercontinental Cruiserweight), Johnny Nelson (WBO World Cruiserweight Champion), Ryan Rhodes (WBO Intercontinental Middlewight), Junior Witter (WBF World Light Welterweight Champion), October 1999 Photo: Steve Ellis
6. Ryan Rhodes
Less than 24 hours since his British light-middleweight title defence, Ryan Rhodes is back in training at the Newman Road Gym where he practices some of his party pieces with one of Brendan Ingle's young boxers, 10 years old Kell Brook, February 1997 Photo: Steve Ellis
7. Johnny Nelson
Pictured is former boxer Johnny Nelson in training with singing teacher Ali Heath Cook at Brendans Ingle's Newman Road Gym. He was taking part in the Master Cutlers Challenge, June 2008 Photo: Steve Ellis
8. Teaching the kids
Brendan Ingle teaches the kids of Wincobank in his gym in 1997 Photo: Dean Atkins