Boxing legend Roy Jones Jnr drops into Gisburn

The American legend took a day off from a speaking tour of the United Kingdom for an open day at the gym at Stirk House.

Fans were welcome to come and have their photograph taken with the all-time great, who was world champion at middleweight, super middleweight, light heavyweight and heavyweight, becoming the only boxer in history to start his career as a junior middleweight and go on to win a heavyweight title.

Named Fighter of the 90s by the Boxing Writers’ Association of America, he also held a record seven belts at the same time as the undisputed world light heavyweight champion.

Maree Leisure has recently hosted the likes of Barry McGuigan, Michael Gomez, Joe Calzaghe, Frank Bruno and Steve Collins, and local promoter and trainer. Maree said: “It was a fantastic day, it was packed and great to see so many local boxers attend.

“One of the North West’s best Jamie Moore was there, and, from a personal point of view, it was a great honour to introduce my old coach Burt Myers to Roy in my gym.”

Maree is currently training Kenny Anderson – who won a gold medal in the Light heavyweight division at the last Commonwealth Games in Melbourne in 2006, as he prepares to fight for the British Super middleweight title – as well as his cousin, the unbeaten Chris O’Brien from Burnley.

The gym is gaining a wide reputation as one of the places to go for top boxers to prepare for big fights, due to its location and bespoke set up.