Boxing gym steps into a new ring as club regains room

Jane Emerick
Torquay Football Club has won a drawn-out fight to knock out a boxing gym.
But both sides claimed a victory as Ashley Lynch’s Torquay Coastal Boxing and Fitness Gym moved out of the club’s former storeroom and into new premises in Baines Crescent this week.
The football club had been trying to squeeze out the boxing gym for years after Surf Coast Shire leased a ground-level room to Mr Lynch.
A spokesperson said the gym’s departure meant the football club would finally have space to store jumpers, balls and equipment for its growing membership of 400.
The spokesperson said Mr Lynch had rented the room for a “pittance” while the club had to provide volunteers to clean the clubhouse, including showers and toilets used by boxing gym patrons.
Mr Lynch said he was initially surprised when asked to leave the clubhouse but had found a superior alternative venue.
“I thought it was a bit unfair but a bigger and better opportunity has come up,” he said.
“I’ve been told it’s one of the finest gyms in Victoria and the only one with two boxing rings, including a full-size professional ring.”
“My relationship with the footballers is really good and I’m really excited about the gym. I’m hoping to bring some fight nights to Torquay.”