Swindon gym owner Paddy Fitzpatrick wins disciplinary hearing

7:30pm Thursday 10th January 2013 in News By Matthew Edwards

Paddy Fitzpatrick, centre, has cleared his name after being accused of organising a white collar fight at a pub. He is pictured with Connor Fernandez, Garvey Kelly, David Hayne, Johnny Clark, Dean Marchmont and Lorenzo Agatone Paddy Fitzpatrick, centre, has cleared his name after being accused of organising a white collar fight at a pub. He is pictured with Connor Fernandez, Garvey Kelly, David Hayne, Johnny Clark, Dean Marchmont and Lorenzo Agatone

BOXING coach Paddy Fitzpatrick has won a disciplinary hearing which could have seen him suspended from coaching.

The Amateur Boxing Association temporarily suspended Paddy ahead of the hearing, but he has cleared his name after there was insufficient evidence.

Paddy, who runs a gym in his own name in Ferndale Road, faced a panel of three in Bristol on Tuesday after he was accused of organising a white collar fight at a pub in Swindon last year.

Speaking after the hearing he said: “It was fine, it was something and nothing and they didn’t have much evidence.

“I wasn’t bothered by it. I am just pleased to be able to do what I love to do and that is coach young people how to box.

“It is the only thing that I am really good at.

“The gentleman who made the accusation was not willing to appear before the panel so there was not enough evidence to go on.”

Paddy has become a popular figure in the boxing scene, bringing the likes of David Haye and George Groves to the town.

Haye, the former WBA title holder before he lost to Wladimir Klitschko, has visited the gym three times since 2007.

Fitzpatrick’s Boxing Gym has also been offering courses to school leavers aged 16 to 19 that will see them gain the equivalent of four GCSEs and a coaching badge.

Terry Smith, chairman of the Welsh Amateur Boxing Association General Council, said that while he was unable to comment on this particular case, the ABA did not tolerate the participation of amateur clubs in white collar boxing.

He said: “Under no circumstances should any amateur club be involved with white collar boxing.

“Amateur Clubs should have nothing to do with white collar boxing because that is unlicensed boxing and they take a lot of unnecessary risks.

“Any clubs that gets involved will be charged.

“We do not tolerate it, I can’t say it any clearer than that.”

click2find

About cookies

We want you to enjoy your visit to our website. That's why we use cookies to enhance your experience. By staying on our website you agree to our use of cookies. Find out more about the cookies we use.

I agree