Eddie Hearn, the big shot at Matchroom Sport, sliced through that red ribbon, swinging open the doors of Britain’s most nostalgic amateur boxing hub in South London last evening.
Lynn AC, which set its roots way back in 1892, was on the brink of singing its swan song this July due to some pesky health and safety hitches. But with a superhero cape on, The Matchroom Charitable Foundation stepped in, ensuring the kids from Camberwell could lace up their gloves again. Believe me, the smiles last night? They’re going down in history.
Ellie Scotney, the lady with the IBF World Super-Bantamweight belt, who once hopped around as a newbie in Lynn AC, sent in a touching video message. She’s gearing up for a showdown at the OVO Arena Wembley this Saturday, squaring off against Argentina’s Laura Griffa.
And oh, Sunny Edwards, the reigning IBF World Flyweight champ, didn’t just come to watch. He and WBC interim World Featherweight Champion, Skye Nicolson, showed those eager young guns a thing or two about the sweet science.
Situated cozily in Burgess Park, this 130-year-old institution, driven by pure volunteer spirit, had seen better days. Thankfully, Matchroom jumped in, reminding us that boxing isn’t just about punches; it’s about heart. The club’s rich legacy boasts names like Adam Booth, Danny Williams, Daniel Dubois, and Derek Angol, among others. Heck, they even withstood an air raid in WWII!
Eddie Hearn, never short of words, expressed his joy: “Tonight’s something special. The emotions at Lynn AC, right at the heartbeat of Camberwell, are just… wow. My love for boxing? Nights like these keep the flame alive. There’s still a few touch-ups needed here, but kudos to Terry Pearson and crew for getting the show back on the road. The UK’s got loads of clubs needing a hand, and while we wait for the bigwigs to act, Matchroom’s got their back, especially when it comes to the future champs at places like Lynn AC.”