Eastside move is the end of an era for city

New blood, old base…Eastside’s new guard at the old premises

THE closure of Eastside gym, in the shadow of the Blues ground, is something of an era’s end for Birmingham boxing.

The Bordesley Green establishment – a real old school sweat-shop – has churned out champion after champion, both amateur and pro. The building is, I understand, being sold by the landlord.

After 12 years, Eastside and its fighters are moving to a new headquarters away from the city. The famed fight factory will now be based in an old Methodist chapel on Coventry Road, Coleshill, with an official opening taking place on January 25.

Under bosses Jon Pegg and Paul “Soggy” Counihan, Eastside gym became a conveyor belt of titleholders. Close to 20 champs toiled there. The tally of belts is around 35.

The list has to be topped by multi-titled Sam Eggington, who became IBO world king at light-middle, and Shakan Pitters, who became British light-heavyweight champ. And don’t forget Craig Cunningham who enjoyed a year when he was simply unstoppable.

Counihan said: “We moved to that gym in 2013. It’s a bit sad because there are so many great, great memories. It produced great champions, both amateur and pro.

Champs and prospects at the former Birmingham base. Pic: Facebook

“We had our first sessions at the new gym yesterday and everyone was buzzing. It’s a lovely, clean and warm gym in a lovely location. I don’t think we have lost many boxers, we may lose the odd one because of the geography, but we’ll gain more because there isn’t another boxing gym in that area.”

Jon Pegg has listed pro champs who have battled under the Eastside banner:

Max Maxwell, Don Broadhurst, Terry Carruthers, Sam Eggington, Marcus Ffrench, Karl Wiggins, Tion Gibbs, Curtis Woodhouse, Scott Melvin, Shakan Pitters, Kaisee Benjamin, Jess Barry, Nyall Berry, Cliff Henry, Craig Cunningham, Cello Renda, Steed Woodall, Ryan Kelly.

Liam O’Hare, former Midlands super-middleweight champ, is also part of the Eastside set-up.

Pegg said: “Technically, Jack O’Keefe was still at our gym when he became Midlands champ and Calum Cooper left before winning the Midlands, but I still managed him and was in his corner.”

Sam Eggington won 12 belts, plus three other honours. Pitters won three, plus the Ultimate Boxxer tournament. Jess Barry won three titles, Craig Cunningham won three, Don Broadhurst won three, Cori Gibbs won the Boxxer tournament.

Pegg has no doubts about the best memory: “Sam Eggington beating Frankie Gavin (thrilling eighth round stoppage at Birmingham’s Barclaycard Arena in 2016).”

And the worst memory?

Pegg shrugged: “Dunno – I don’t really stay annoyed for long.”