The South Yorkshire boxing gym that is punching above its weight

The gym, which has only been up and running for the last three months, has a talented mixture of current, former and would-be champions

It's not got the history of the Ingle gym.

Josh Padley and Jason Cunningham, EBU Super Featherweight Title fight 31 January 2026 Picture By Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxingplaceholder image
Josh Padley and Jason Cunningham, EBU Super Featherweight Title fight 31 January 2026 Picture By Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing | Mark Robinson/Matchroom

Nor does it have a world champion in its ranks, like Steel City.

In fact...it doesn't even have a name above its door right now.

But Jason Cunningham's fitness centre is punching above its weight and is one of, if not the, most successful boxing bases in South Yorkshire.

Jason Cunningham Jimmy Joe Flint Connan Murray and team Pic courtesy of Ryan Marsdenplaceholder image
Jason Cunningham Jimmy Joe Flint Connan Murray and team Pic courtesy of Ryan Marsden | Ryan Marsden

The gym, which has only been up and running for the last three months, has a talented mixture of current, former and would-be champions within its walls at the newly-revived Brodsworth Miners Welfare Legacy Hub in the Woodlands area of Doncaster.

The roll call includes:

JOSH PADLEY

He has defended his European super featherweight belt earlier this summer is ranked No. 7 with the WBA and could end up winning that governing body's top honour. The 30-year-old could be out again in December.

CONNAN MURRAY

He has just become South Yorkshire's latest champion, at 34, beating Dom Hunt at the Magna Centre, Rotherham, for the Central Area super welterweight strap.

Bree Wright and her teamplaceholder image
Bree Wright and her team | UGC

BREE WRIGHT

Sheffield middleweight Bree will fight Roses' rival Jenna Pilling at Doncaster Dome in November, and that could be for a Commonwealth title after just seven previous contests.

ELLIE HELLEWELL

The Rotherham-born fighter has a taste for titles, at 26 she is a two-time Commonwealth contender. She's not the type to give up after falling short with belt bids at feather and super bantamweight.

There are no shortage of gym-mates who have won titles or will be pursuing them at some stage in the future.

JIMMY JOE FLINT, who notably finished Campbell Hatton's career, is a former Central Area super lightweight title holder. He is looking for one more strap and, at 29, has time on his side.

CORY SAGAR is 7-0-0 and at 22 years of age and looking to develop in longer-round fights.

Cunningham has high hopes for other prospects like Doncaster heavyweight JOSHUA SIMMS, Rotherham welterweight KACIE DOOCEY and Sheffield lightweight SAQIB MEHMOOD.

On top of that he has promising amateurs like ANTONIO BRIEN and BROOKE TAYLOR.

And Cunningham also manages Bentley's BILLY JARMOLINSKI, who hopes to fight Sheffield's Sam Lightfoot for a Central Area title in November.

So there is plenty going on for Cunningham, who has held British, Commonwealth and European titles - but you won't hear him making any claims to run the best gym in South Yorkshire.

"I can't and wouldn't say that. I've had a good start to my coaching career but I am in my own lane. I am doing well, but I keep myself to myself and am not one for shouting!

"It is a good stable. I haven't come up with a name yet, I am trying to think of something that doesn't sound cheesy!"

If Cunningham isn't busy enough, he also plans to launch a youth club and associated community projects from the Woodlands building.

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