A twenty-four-hour sponsored boxing ‘Padmarathon’ staged at Padraig McDonagh’s Golden Team Boxing Gym in Hunslet has raised £1,820 for Hull boxer Connor Coghill who recently had to retire from professional boxing following an injury sustained in a contest with Leeds boxer Hopey Price on the undercard of the Josh Warrington Leigh Wood event at Sheffield Arena on 7 October 2023.
“We wanted to do something for Connor, who throughout his career proved just how tough, talented, courageous a fighter he was, but whose time as a professional boxer has now sadly come to an end” said Golden team coach and event organiser Justin Newell.
“The Yorkshire boxing community is rallying round to raise funds to allow Connor to set himself up as a coach and boxing trainer so that eventually he can manage his own gym allowing him to continue to play a major role in promoting the sport he loves.”
The ‘Padmarathon’ was the idea of Keith Walton who along with Newell held the pads for twelve continuous hours from eight through eight with those punching the pads contributing a minimum £20 for a half hour workout. Walton used to coach Newell and now works with Leeds boxers including Ishmael Davis and Jack Bateson.
“We were delighted that all slots were booked with fifty or so working out” explained Newell. “It was good that Connor himself was able to come along and there was a great atmosphere with people popping in providing tea and cakes and making donations. Thanks to everyone who helped and particularly Nicola Aldred. As for Connor, this is the least we could do for this lovely, brave young man who is such a role model for Yorkshire folk.”
Anyone wanting to make a donation to the Connor Coghill Go Fund Me page can do so here at https://www.gofundme.com/f/career-ending-brain-injury-due-to-boxing with nearly nine thousand now raised including the cash from the Golden Team event.
This post was written by James Bovington
Photo (L-R): Newell, Coghill, Walton and McDonagh
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