The Lion Gym

Meeting Mathew Hatton

It was a real pleasure for me, as Head Coach of The Lion Gym & Boxing Club, to meet Mathew Hatton and have the opportunity to sit down and talk with him.

I followed Mathew’s career closely, alongside that of his legendary brother Ricky Hatton. I always felt Mathew was a hugely talented and tough fighter who perhaps didn’t receive the recognition he deserved at times, partly because of the enormous shadow cast by his brother’s incredible career.

Mathew was a warrior who gave every opponent a tough night. I remember his epic battles with fighters such as Canelo Álvarez and Kell Brook, and the determination and courage he showed throughout his career.

During our meeting, I was also able to personally pass on my condolences to Mathew following the heartbreaking loss of Ricky. I shared some of my own memories of Ricky, whom I had the privilege of meeting on several occasions, particularly through my previous work in sports media and boxing as a columnist.

It was also great to see former boxer and respected TV boxing commentator Darren Barker and others taking part in a charity fundraising run in Ricky’s memory, helping to raise awareness around mental health.

I firmly believe that we should all try to give something back to our communities and support causes that can make a genuine difference to people’s lives.

That is something I am extremely proud of through my voluntary work with The Lion Gym & Boxing Club.

For years, I have given my time voluntarily to help young people and adults through boxing, fitness and community activities. The aim has always been much bigger than boxing itself — it’s about improving health, confidence, discipline, mental wellbeing and giving people a positive place to belong.

I’m proud of the impact our volunteers, coaches and members continue to make in our community.

If you’d like to find out more about the work we do, please visit:

www.theliongym.co.uk

Please support The Lion Gym & Boxing Club if you can. Every bit of support helps us continue making a difference.

The Lion Gym & Boxing Club — Boxing, Community & Changing Lives.
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Matthew Hatton
Darren Barker
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Congratulations to Lion Gym & Boxing Club's very own homegrown boxer, !
Today marks a proud moment as Jamie begins the next chapter of his boxing journey by turning professional after an outstanding amateur career of nearly 50 bouts, earning numerous titles and achievements along the way.
It has been an absolute privilege to coach Jamie from a young age and watch him grow, not only into a talented boxer but also into a dedicated, disciplined and respectful young man. Seeing him now join the professional ranks fills me with immense pride.
As a coach, I have mixed emotions. Naturally, I'm sad to lose one of my amateur boxers, but I'm also incredibly proud to have played a significant role in Jamie's boxing journey. Every hour of training, every victory, every setback and every lesson has helped shape the boxer he is today.
I have no doubt whatsoever that Jamie will continue to make a big impact in the professional game. He has the work ethic, determination and boxing ability to succeed, and I know he will continue to develop even further while building on the skills he learned at Lion Gym.
As your amateur coach, I'll now be cheering you on from ringside, proudly watching your professional career unfold and celebrating every success that comes your way.
As we spoke about the other day, I'm incredibly proud of you, Jamie. I wish you every success in your professional career. Remember, my door is always open. If you ever need advice, support or simply a chat, I'll always be here for you—as your former coach and, more importantly, as your friend.
Good luck, Jamie. Go and make your mark on the professional boxing world. Everyone at The Lion Gym & Boxing Club is behind you every step of the way.
Coach Kal (Khalil)
Head Coach
The Lion Gym & Boxing Club
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The Lion Gym & Boxing Club and Head Coach Kal are incredibly proud of our former amateur boxer, Shona, on her emphatic first-round victory on her professional debut!

The Lion Gym is where it all began for Shona in amateur boxing, and I still remember telling her, "You should turn professional." I always believed you had what it takes, and it's fantastic to see you proving that on the professional stage.

As your amateur boxing coach, I'll never forget the countless hours we spent travelling the country, the endless training sessions in the gym, the victories, the disappointments, the wins, the losses, and those Sunday one-to-one sessions. (My arms and back still remember you smashing those pads! 😆)

Every moment was worth it, and seeing you win so impressively on your professional debut fills me with pride.

Wishing you every success in your professional career. Hopefully, I'll be there in the crowd cheering you on at one of your future fights.

Congratulations once again, Shona. Keep believing, keep working, and keep winning.

All the very best!

Coach Kal (Khalil)
The Lion Gym & Boxing Club

What a fantastic way to end the season for The Lion Gym & Boxing Club! 🦁

The club proudly attended Batley Stadium to support Yorkshire's rising professional boxing star, Haaris Akbar, who delivered a devastating first-round stoppage victory in spectacular fashion. The undefeated Akbar continues to impress and looks destined for major title opportunities in the near future.

This season has been another remarkable chapter in the history of The Lion Gym & Boxing Club. Our boxers and coaching staff have worked tirelessly, competing and succeeding at every level of the sport. From club shows and Box Cups to Yorkshire Belt challenges, Yorkshire Championships, National Championships, and representing England in the prestigious Four Nations tournament, the club has continued to raise the bar.

The Lion Gym has firmly established itself as one of the leading amateur boxing clubs in Yorkshire and one of the most respected clubs in the country. Through hard work, dedication, discipline, and a winning culture, our boxers continue to achieve outstanding success both inside and outside the ring.

The journey doesn't stop here. We will be back next season bigger, stronger, hungrier, and more determined than ever, with plenty more goals to achieve and milestones to reach.

Thank you to everyone who has supported the club throughout the season. The future is bright for The Lion Gym & Boxing Club.The pride of Bradford. The home of

The Lion Gym & Boxing Club brought the 2025/26 boxing season to a spectacular close with its home boxing show held at the prestigious Bradford City Football Club.

The event was a star-studded evening of top-class boxing, attracting special guests from the boxing world, including undefeated professional boxer Adam Hamed, son of boxing legend Prince Naseem Hamed, as well as Bradford's very own rising star, Haaris Akbar, who were both in attendance to support the show.

Our boxers delivered outstanding performances throughout the night, showcasing their skill, determination, and heart against high-quality opposition. Every boxer represented the club with pride and gave a tremendous account of themselves. At The Lion Gym & Boxing Club, we never shy away from a challenge. We believe true development comes from testing ourselves against the best opponents, regardless of their record or experience, and our boxers continue to prove that mindset pays dividends.

One of the standout moments of the evening was our talented schoolboy boxer, who produced a superb performance to capture the prestigious Yorkshire Belt Championship. Not only did he claim the title, but he also avenged a previous defeat against the very same opponent, demonstrating incredible determination, character, and growth. Congratulations, Champion – a truly memorable achievement!

The atmosphere throughout the night was electric, with a packed crowd enjoying an unforgettable evening of competitive and entertaining boxing. The event was a tremendous success and a fitting end to another fantastic season for the club.

We would like to extend our sincere thanks to everyone who helped make the show possible, including the attending members of the public, coaches, officials, boxers, volunteers, staff, and our valued sponsors, Regal Bakery and Square Apple Takeaway. Your support is greatly appreciated and plays a vital role in the continued success of our club.

Thank you all for making it such a fantastic night of boxing.

Now it's time for a short break before we return bigger, stronger, and ready for our next show in September 2026.

🥈 SILVER MEDAL FOR LION GYM & BOXING CLUB! 🥈

Our boxer has achieved an incredible Silver Medal at the Four Nations International Competition in Scotland, proudly representing England in just his 7th amateur bout and after less than 12 months of learning to box at The Lion Gym & Boxing Club.

What a truly remarkable achievement for our Schoolboy National Champion.

As a coach, I couldn't be any prouder. His success is proof that with the right coaching, the right development, the right fights at the right time, and a commitment to hard work, great things can happen.

At Lion Gym, we don't just train boxers — we help young people develop the skills, confidence, discipline, and mindset needed to achieve their full potential. This young champion is a perfect example of what can be accomplished through dedication and belief.

A massive congratulations, Champ! Enjoy your achievement, and then it's back to work as we prepare for an even bigger and stronger season ahead.

The journey continues.

Want to learn to box, improve your fitness, build confidence, or compete at the highest level? Join The Lion Gym & Boxing Club and become part of something special.


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The Lion Gym & Boxing Club's homegrown talent is set to represent England Boxing at the prestigious Four Nations International Boxing Tournament!
Representing his country, his club, and Yorkshire with pride, he will be stepping into the ring wearing the Three Lions alongside some of the nation's finest young boxers.
Let's all get behind him and make some noise as he takes on the best international opposition. Your support means everything, and together we can help drive him on to success.
Come on Team England — let's smash this!
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GB Boxing
THE LION GYM & BOXING CLUB

Regal Plc
Square Apple
Boxing King Media

ENGLAND SELECTION – THE THREE LIONS 🦁🦁🦁
The Lion Gym & Boxing Club's homegrown talent, undefeated boxer, National Champion and Yorkshire Champion has been selected to represent ENGLAND 🇬🇧 at the prestigious Four Nations Championships in Motherwell, Scotland.
What makes this achievement even more remarkable is that this is only his first competitive season and he has been boxing for less than 12 months. In that short time, he has established himself as the best boxer in the country in his weight category and has now earned the honour of wearing the Three Lions for England Boxing.
This outstanding achievement is a testament to his hard work, dedication, discipline and willingness to learn. It is also a reflection of the high-quality coaching, technical expertise and development pathway provided at Lion Gym & Boxing Club.
At Lion Gym, we do far more than simply build tough boxers. Our athletes benefit from elite coaching, extensive sparring opportunities, first-class physical conditioning and excellent training facilities. Most importantly, we teach our boxers how to think, adapt and perform in every boxing situation, giving them the skills and confidence to succeed at the highest levels of the sport.
Achievements like this are why Lion Gym & Boxing Club continues to establish itself as one of England's leading amateur boxing clubs, producing champions and developing talent from the grassroots to the international stage.
We are incredibly proud of you, Champ. Go and enjoy the experience, represent your country with pride and show everyone why you are one of the very best.
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KING OF THE NORTH CHAMPION

The Lion Gym & Boxing Club's schoolboy boxing sensation and current YORKSHIRE BELT CHAMPION has added another major title to his growing collection, winning GOLD at the prestigious KING OF THE NORTH INTERNATIONAL BOX CUP CHAMPIONSHIP in Scotland.

At Lion Gym & Boxing Club, we believe in challenging our boxers against the very best. That's why we deliberately chose one of the toughest and most established box cups in the UK, taking our young champion out of his comfort zone and into an elite-level international competition environment.

The King of the North Box Cup attracted almost 200 elite entrants from Scotland, England, Wales, and Ireland, making it one of the premier open-class competitions in the British Isles.

In the final, our boxer faced a highly talented and experienced Scottish opponent. We knew it would take something special to bring home the gold medal. Representing Lion Gym & Boxing Club, Yorkshire, and England, our young champion produced a boxing masterclass, displaying exceptional skill, composure, and determination to secure a well-deserved victory and be crowned KING OF THE NORTH CHAMPION.

What an incredible way to finish the season! After already claiming the Yorkshire Belt Championship, he has now travelled to Scotland and returned with international gold.

This is yet another example of the high standards, dedication, and success being achieved at Lion Gym & Boxing Club, where champions are developed through hard work, discipline, and world-class coaching.

Congratulations, Champ – we are incredibly proud of you. The future is bright, and this is only the beginning!

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