Jacob Hamilton pictured with Abbey Boxing Academy’s Coach Sandy Rice, Boxing World Champion Ryan Burnett and Mayor of Ards and North Down council Richard Smart.

Boxing champion Ryan Burnett makes an inspirational visit to Abbey Boxing Academy for meet and greet with young people and tours the premises. 

The former unified bantamweight World Champion has held the World Boxing Association title since 2017 and previously the IBF bantamweight title from 2017 to 2018.

Burnett toured the premises of the Abbey Boxing Club where he was met on arrival by the Mayor of Ards and North Down council Richard Smart, coach Sandy Rice, Abbey Boxing Academy officials and SERC representatives.

The unbeaten champion was a knock-out hit with the young people during the short visit where the 26-year-old showed off his belt, took time to sign autographs and gloves and had selfies taken.

He was impressed by the Club as he toured its facilities and met some of its children, young people and parents from across the community.

Coach Sandy Rice said celebrity visits were invaluable. “Ryan giving us his time and attention is great as it gives us and the young people a boost. It helps give the Club visibility and allows the children to see for themselves what can be achieved through hard work, commitment and dedication. It’s the big figures like Ryan showing their support which helps encourage others to support us too. It also helps us to communicate what we are trying to achieve to the wider community and I hope the visit will inspire our members to be champions.”

The Club has honed the boxing talent of Melbourne Common Wealth Games competitors Shaun McKim four times ulster senior champion, Gary McClure Ulster Senior Champion, Ulster Champion Paul Moffett and Sarah Close European junior bronze medallist.

SERC principal and chief executive Ken Webb said “It’s an exciting time for everyone involved. The Club are already doing excellent work with young people across both sides of the community and engaging with those from disadvantaged backgrounds. Ryan’s willingness to visit the Club and meet with the young people to share his success can help them realise they can achieve their dreams no matter what their background or where they come from, if they have the desire and determination to succeed.”

Mayor of Ards and North Down council Richard Smart said “I am delighted to be attending Bangor Abbey Boxing Academy today to welcome Ryan Burnett and meet members and young people from the club. Sport, and boxing, can play a very positive formative role in young people's development, as we have witnessed with a World Champion like Carl Frampton. Hopefully this high-profile visit will open up new opportunities to encourage young people to take up sport and in so doing develop many spin off health and educational benefits. I’m committed to doing all I can to help the smaller cross community clubs like Bangor Abbey Boxing Academy who work tirelessly to provide both direction and focus for young people.”

Abbey Boxing Academy offers a range of classes for members and is a dedicated academy for aspiring fighters or for those with a keen interest to get better at the sport from a young age.

The club has exclusive use of a porta cabin at SERCs Bangor campus which dons the clubs white and blue colours.

SERC affirmed their commitment to supporting their student-athletes a few years ago when rugby legend Stephen Ferris launched their Elite Athlete Programme, designed to provide aspiring elite athletes with the support they need to achieve both academic and sporting excellence.

The club welcomes members of any age, gender or background with both male and female members aged between 7-60 years old. If you are interested in boxing contact us to find out how you can participate. Anyone interested in joining the club can contact Coach Sandy Rice on 07985476414.