- Dan Martin and Julia Breens
- BBC News, Leicester
Image source, Family photo
A Leicestershire boxing club will name their new gym in memory of one of its members who died suddenly aged 17.
Christian Hobbs fought and trained at the Heart of England Community Boxing Club in Hinckley until his death on Boxing Day 2017.
The club currently has planning permission to build a new headquarters next to Hinckley Cricket Club on Leicester Road.
Christian's mother, Louise, said she was overjoyed.
Mrs Hobbs said the club had been meeting in an abandoned warehouse and was in desperate need of a permanent base.
“Christian loved boxing and he loved that club,” she said.
“Before he died the club had been told they were being evicted from the former carpet factory and he was extremely worried about the club’s future.
“that [getting planning permission] This is a good thing for the club my son loved.
Image source, Family photo
“He'll be amazed to see his name above the front door. He never thought in a million years that that would happen.”
The amateur boxing club was founded in 2003 and is run by former England Director of Boxing Nick Griffin.
The club is currently fundraising to raise the £1 million needed to build the gym.
Mrs Hobbs said Christian is thought to have had an undiagnosed heart condition and that the money raised at the memorial was part of the £70,000 raised so far.
The approved plans included three boxing rings, a cafeteria and changing rooms, a physiotherapy room, classrooms and a viewing gallery.
