Boxing boss closes in on new Sheffield gym
Sheffield boxing supremo Ryan Rhodes is preparing to settle into a new home
Ryan Rhodes hopes to have a new boxing home in Sheffield by the end of the summer.
The well-known boxing manager and promoter moved out of his rented Shalesmoor building - a landmark property on the edge of the city centre - recently, with the aim of finding premises he can own.
He hopes to conclude the financial side of the deal by the end of August.
He will take with him the Southpaw brand name and bring the various strands of his business back together.
With the Shalesmoor site closed, his coach, Steve Nettleship, has had to hire temporary premises on The Wicker.
Eventually, they will reunite, with the likes of boxers Hughie Wilson and Kacie Doocey Adam Geelan and Claire Watts back in the fold.
"It will be nice to get everything back under one roof" said Ryan.
"My plan was always to own the next property and we have a place in mind at the town end of Attercliffe.
"It will be a slightly smaller version of the old place, with boxing training, circuit training, fitness sessions and a physio on site.
"Eventually, we intend to expand with more coaches and more members."
Rhodes, a one-time world title challenger, is devoting most of his time to managing fighters, as well as hosting shows and organising his new gym.
He manages former world champion Terri Harper, along with Wilson, Doocey, Geelan, Watts, European flyweight champion Conner Kelsall, Connan Murray, Rianna Doforo, Lewis Sylvester, Jimmy Joe Flint and Josh Simms.
Meanwhile, Irish media are speculating that Conisbrough heavyweight Dave Allen will fight Thomas Carty on September 5, on the undercard of world champion Katie Taylor's farewell bout against France's Flora Pili at Dublin's Croke Park stadium.
Allen will want to bring across some of the fighters in his own stable to take part in other Matchroom Boxing shows over the summer, according to Irish boxing website irish-boxing.com
The South Yorkshireman is currently listed to fight at Doncaster Dome on July 25.