Hinckley: Community gym to be named in teenage boxer's memory

Christian Hobbs joined the gym when he was 14

A boxing club is to name its new gym in honour of one of its members who died suddenly, aged 17.

Christian Hobbs trained at the Heart of England Community Boxing Club in Hinckley, Leicestershire, before he passed away on Boxing Day 2017.

The club has now been granted planning permission to build a new headquarters, next to Hinckley Cricket Club, in Leicester Road.

Christian's mother Louise said she was delighted.

Mrs Hobbs said the club had been meeting in a derelict warehouse and desperately needed a permanent base.

"Christian loved boxing, and he loved that club," she said.

"Before he died, the club was told it would be evicted from a former carpet factory, and he was very worried about its future.

"It [getting planning permission] is something positive for the club my son loved.

"He would be astonished to see his name above the front door. He would never have thought it would happen in a million years."

Money raised at Christian's memorial service was donated to the campaign to build the gym

The amateur boxing club was established in 2003 and is run by former England boxing director Nick Griffin.

The club is currently fundraising to try to get the £1m it needs to build the gym.

Mrs Hobbs said money collected at his memorial service was part of the £70,000 raised so far.

The Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) said the club wanted to build "an outstanding community facility for the population of Hinckley and beyond".

The approved plans included three boxing rings, a canteen and changing facilities, a physiotherapy room, classroom and viewing gallery.