Repton Boxing Club is a boxing gym, former bath house based in Bethnal Green in East London. The Kray twins, Ronnie and Reggie frequented here in the 1950s, whilst training at the Repton club in Victoria Park off the Roman Road.
Boxing was a popular sport in the East End, offering working-class men the chance to gain fame and fortune – and a tough reputation to boot. Both Reggie and Ronnie were talented boxers in their youth, turning professional in 1951, and even appearing on the same bill at The Royal Albert Hall.
History
The Boxing Club grew out of Repton Boys Club, which was established in 1884 by Repton Public School as a way of giving support and encouragement to the young men in one of the country's poorest communities. It is now housed in an atmospheric former Victorian Bath House, where boxers from the area and, indeed, many miles away train in pursuit of emmulating the club's fighters who have proved themselves continually successful both nationally and internationally, and from schoolboy level to that of Olympic Gold and World Champion; Great Boxers such as John H Stracey, Maurice Hope, Olympians such as Micky Carter, Billy Taylor, Dave Odwell, Graham Moughton, Gary Barker, Sylvester Mitte, Audley Harrison and Tony Cesay.
Present Day
With both a unique history and an exemplary record in the sport, Repton Boxing Club is still very much part of its original Bethnal Green roots in London's East End.
Over the years the club has been the home to well over 500 Champions and fully deserves the title of “Home of Champions” and ‘Stongest Boxing club in the UK and Europe”. The name of The Repton Boxing Club is even well known in The United States of America. Repton offers the finest coaching for both seniors and juniors, from beginner's level upwards. The Repton Boxing Club does not receive any funding, grants or benefits from Government or local authorities. Over the years the club has kept our doors open and lights on at the Gym, through donations and sponsorship from local businessmen. To keep the club open, they rely on the contribution of club member subs and proceedings from Boxing shows to fund the club. Last year the club received the status of a Registered Charity.
Media Appearance
The Club Boxing team competes throughout the year at various events both in the UK and abroad, while the venue itself has been regularly used for TV, Film and Magazine shoots. With its Retro look and feel, not changed in over half a century. It is like walking on to a ‘Film Noir’ Movie set from the Middle of the last century. The Club has been used as the Backdrop and location for famous Movies, such has Guy Richies ‘Lock Stock and two Burning Barrels’ as well as Music Video’s by ‘Take That’, JLS and Olly murs and Plan B, just to mention a few.
Famous film Directors and Icons from the Arts world who visit the club, always comment on the ‘Electric Energy and Atmosphere’ they feel as soon as you walk through the door. They Love the Look and Retro feel of the club and have begged The Chairman, Dave Robinson not to change it.
