On the 25th January 2022, the boxing world lost one of its own and best trainers, Brian Hughes MBE.
Brian Hughes was born and raised in Collyhurst, Manchester. He boxed amateur but trained with the professionals in Jack Bates gym where he saw his idols, Johnny King, Jock McAvoy and Jackie Brown there.
Brian founded the Collyhurst Lads Club in 1964 and started coaching when he was 21. He used old Army kit bags stuffed with old clothing as punch bags.
In the early 1970’s the Collyhurst Lads Club was moved to it’s present premises in Moston where Brian achieved even greater success, producing several British, European and World boxing Champions. Brain had been Chief Coach there for 50 years,
Brian has produced Schoolboy, Youth and Senior ABA champions at that time and two of his lads were in the Olympic Games and as a professional trainer he has produced British, European, Commonwealth and World Champions.
In 2000 Brian was honoured by Queen Elizabeth and Price Philip for his services to the community and received an MBE. He had been titles “The Godfather of Manchester boxing” before he hung up his gloves in 2011.
What a man. He dedicated all his life to boxing and making a difference to people’s lives, I’m sure his legacy will live on without a doubt.
Rest in Peace Brain, The Godfather of Manchester Boxing.
