And to mark their move to swanky new surroundings the club are hosting the prestigious Southern Counties ABA Championship on Saturday, March 13.

Boxers from Sussex, Hampshire, Kent and Surrey will be fighting in the
preliminary and semi-final stages for a place in the finals at Butlin's five days later.

Dave Larner, who has been involved with the club for almost 50 years as a boxer and now respected official, said: "It's fantastic for the club.
"It's the dream of every boxing coach to have your own gym. And with the help of our president Peter Cox and sponsors Shanick Engineering, that dream has finally become a reality for us."

The VK Gym in Durban Road will give Bognor ABC facilities to rival any club in the south of England.

It boasts two championship-size rings, dozens of punchbags, speed balls and an array of gym and weight training machines.

It's a far cry from the club's humble beginnings. For the past 46 years, Bognor Amateur Boxing Club has been based at the Bognor Youth and Community Centre, Westloats Lane.

Larner, who won two Southern Counties championships and a south west divisional title and is now an ABA judge as well as coach, recalled: "We started with one punchbag and one pair of gloves!

"It will be very emotional for me when we stage a major championship at our very own club – for only the second time in our history.

"Over the years we were helped by local businessman Harry Cox, who provided the club with equipment. His son Peter of Shanick Engineering has continued supporting the club with Gary Chetland and Terry Robinson of the Glass Centre Aldwick.

"We're also indebted to Dr Malcolm Ridley, who supervises our boxers' medical needs and is always on hand.

"We are also grateful for the support, financial and otherwise, from the Rotary and Lions Clubs of Bognor Regis."

A spokesman for Shanick Engineering said: "We're delighted to have been
associated with the boxing club for many years and look forward to this exciting new era.

"We'd like to thank builders Sylvester 'Rocky' Koszkalo and Steve Hodges who have ensured the building is ready for occupation in record time."

It's a big relief to the dedicated, hard-working band of volunteers, including the seven ABA-qualified coaches – three of them former boxers at the club.

Sean Burton, who acts as the club's boxing matchmaker, explained: "It will make a massive difference.

"We'll be able to concentrate 100 per cent on coaching our youngsters, as we'll no longer have to spend time putting the equipment out and then putting it away again."

Burton, 41, who arranged the first ever show to be held at the club in their 60-year history, is eagerly anticipating a cracking day's boxing hosting the Southern Counties Championships.

The first bouts begin at 2.30pm. Tickets will be sold at the door. All welcome.

The Southern Area Finals on Thursday, March 18 at Butlin's will be a dinner/boxing show with tickets available from Peter Stemp on 01243 866139.

RUSSELL DEWEY