BOLTON One is proving to be a knockout training centre for leading boxers.

TV cameras have been into the University of Bolton’s Athlete Development Centre (ADC) to film a world title challenger — and up-and-coming boxers are fighting it out to train in the town.

The cameras were there for BoxNation TV — a 24-hour boxing channel — in the build up to South African Vusi Malinga’s bout with Stuart Hall in Leeds later this month.

Top British boxing prospects, Jack Catterall, Adrian Gonzalez and Joe Costello will also be fighting at the First Direct Arena on the night.

They were filmed using the ADC’s anti-gravity treadmill, and hitting pads in the university’s strength and conditioning room.

Malinga, aged 34, said: ”The facilities here are excellent and my training is going very well. I’m very fit and ready for the fight.”

Manchester’s Gonzalez, aged 22, added: “The ADC facilities are amazing. I didn’t know what to expect but I wasn’t expecting them to be so high-tech. I was really impressed.”

Amateur standout, Joe Costello, aged 19, from Birmingham, is a four-time national champion and former world number one at his weight.

He was voted BBC Young Sportsman of the Year in 2008.

He became the youngest person ever to win gold at the European Championships in his weight class.

He said: “The facilities here are wicked. I’ve been training and sparring with professionals for three years now without much difficulty, so I know I am ready to become a professional. I know I can compete at that level. I just can’t wait to get started.”

Undefeated Chorley fighter, Jack Catterall, aged 20, added: “The ADC staff were great, very helpful, and the equipment was quality. I was very grateful to be invited here.”

Lee Beard, who was training the boxers and has worked with former two-weight world champion, Ricky Hatton, and legendary trainer Floyd Mayweather Snr, said: “The facilities are great at Bolton. We used them for the first time a few weeks ago and came back for the training and filming. We’re looking to start up a proper working relationship with the university.”

The ADC is part of the University’s £31 million health, leisure and research facility, Bolton One.
Adam Naylor, the senior lecturer on the Sports Rehabilitation course, said: “The ADC is gaining a reputation in the region and nationally amongst elite athletes and sporting clubs.

“The equipment and facilities we have at the university are fantastic and the service we can provide professional and amateur athletes is excellent.”