The Matchroom Boxing Foundation has provided financial support to the Dale Youth ABC in the wake of the Grenfell Tower fire – and their most decorated graduate James DeGale MBE has backed the club to bounce back stronger.
Dale Youth ABC was housed in the basement of Grenfell Tower that was completely destroyed in the blaze, and club trainer Mick Delaney says that they will look to rebuild in nearby Ladbroke Grove in time for the new season.
“It’s devastating what happened to the families at Grenfell Tower,” said Delaney. “The loss of life is so tragic and it’s still hard to come to terms with that.
“I was in the club late the night before the fire and got a phone call from one of the lads who passes the tower in the early hours to say it was completely ablaze.
“We’re looking at moving to Ladbroke Grove and with hard work – and the financial assistance from the Matchroom Boxing Foundation – we’ll aim to be up and running again for the new season.”
IBF World Super-Middleweight champion DeGale cut his teeth at Dale Youth alongside old foe George Groves, and ‘Chunky’ says that the spirit of the club will see it return better than ever.
“What happened at the Tower was such a tragedy and my heart goes out to the families who have lost loved ones,” said DeGale. “Dale Youth is brilliantly run and while I know it was devastating that the club is gone,
“Mick Delaney and all the coaches and the committee will do everything that they can to make sure it comes back bigger and better than ever – and I have no doubts that they will do just that. It’s a great club with talented young fighters and committed trainers and it’s vital that we do all we can to help them get back on their feet.”
