Boxing: South Wales Valley Club bounce back from edge and produce winners

A boxing gym in the Cynon Valley that was once on the brink of closure is now back thanks to the determination of its local community.

The ANA Amateur Boxing Club in Penrewsbury, in the South Wales Valley, is “one bid away from losing the club” after the building was put up for sale. But a fundraising effort which brought together local residents raised almost £15,000 to secure its future.

Today, the gym is thriving, with over 30 members training four times a week to produce Welsh national champions.

Former seven-time Welsh champion coach Anthony Trow said the club’s survival was vital to the area.

“It means everything,” he said. “I came back to the gym less than a year ago, and it was going to be sold out from under our feet.

“We have successfully brought the community together, raised money and saved the club.

“Now that more people are coming in to see it flourish and more coaches are joining us it’s going in the right direction.”

Among the gym’s success stories is 22-year-old super-heavyweight David Francis, who has quickly emerged as one of Wales’ most promising amateur boxers.

Francis had previously played rugby at a high level, representing the Ospreys Academy and Wales Under-20s, but injury forced him to reconsider his future in the sport.

“I played rugby until I was about 21, but I was plagued with injuries,” he said. “I haven’t enjoyed it for a while and I’ve always wanted to get back into boxing.”

Francis returned to boxing in the summer of 2025 and joined the amateur club later in the year.

“I got into the gym in November and I haven’t looked back since,” said Francis.

Despite only having a handful of bouts, Francis rose through the ranks quickly. In April he defeated Pontypool ABC’s Joshua Taylor by split decision in his sixth fight in the final of the Welsh National Championship.

The competition featured over 230 competitors in 37 categories, with boxers representing clubs across Wales.

“It was really surreal,” Francis said. “You don’t really expect it, but you try to soak it up and enjoy it because you don’t know when your last one is going to be.”

His father, Dafydd Francis, admitted he was initially concerned about his son’s return to boxing.

“When he said he wanted to fight, I kind of freaked out,” he said.

“But I told him if he’s going to do it, we’ll make sure he joins the right gym. I knew Anthony and believed in the atmosphere here.

“As a dad, I wanted to make sure he was in a good place and they are brilliant at Penreusibar. It’s incredibly inclusive and there’s no arrogance.”