Joel Waxman says Watford Boxing Club owe a debt of gratitude to Mayor Dorothy Thornhill after she played a key role in helping the club re-locate after being served with an eviction notice last year.

The club, which had been operating out of Sun Postal Sports Ground in Bellmount Wood Avenue, was issued with an eviction notice and forced to rethink their location in order to keep the club alive.

Joel Waxman, who is one of the club’s six coaches – four of whom are ABA qualified – explained: “The first we knew about it was when we were asked for a set of keys to the club because we were being served our notice.

“We had a knock on the door from the owner saying he would need a set of keys because he was going to use the place for something different and wanted to measure up.

“We as coaches were facing a choice. We had to sit down and decide if we would let it fold and go to another club or relocate and carry the club on. But we felt a responsibility as coaches to carry the club on. We have a passion for boxing and we did not want to just give up.

“Dorothy Thornhill stepped in and was instrumental in finding us somewhere else to move to and getting us moved in there.”

And the club threw open its doors on Tuesday as it relaunched properly with more than 100 guests, including Bushey-based Southern Area title-holder Miles Shinkwin and WBO European super-featherweight Mitchell Smith, formerly of Bushey ABC, among a raft of members, former and current professionals in attendance.

The club had originally relocated to Woodside Leisure Centre in September last year – a decision personally driven by Mayor Thornill.

Waxman continued: “We were given six months notice and we had to be out by the end of August last year.

“Dorothy Thornhill was always aware of this building at Woodside, next to the cricket club and she wanted to find a use for it.

“She was approached by Caroline Roach – who has worked for the club for a number of years – on our behalf to come down, watch what we do and speak to the coaches and members. She was clearly suitably impressed and had seen enough to say were a cause worthy of supporting and decided we would be suitable for the premises.”

And the club, which now has roughly 80 registered members, have stuck to the same principles they have carried from their original home.

“We offer exactly what we did when we were at Sun,” stated Waxman. “We are here to serve the local community and people of all ages, abilities and creeds are more than welcome to come and train with us.

“You do not necessarily have to want to box competitively for the club; you can just train. We won’t ask when you sign up if you want to box for the club or say you have to either.

“If however you think you want to or we think you are good enough to box competitively we will enable you to do so,” added Waxman.

Membership fees are £25 for the year and sessions are just £5 for non-members, who are welcome to drop by at any time to give the sport a try.

For more information, ring head coach Kenny Walker on 07952 130248 or visit the club’s website at www.watfordboxingclub.co.uk.