The once proud club is on the rise again after falling into decline in the late 1980s.

It now has 12 registered boxers with more set to sign up this summer.

Back in 1971 Huthwaite was the first Midlands club to have three lads in the National Schoolboy finals. And a year later it had two lads in the National Boys’ Club Championships.

Although the club still operates out of the gym in Huthwaite, boxers are also filtering down to them from Mansfield’s Body and Soul gym.

Huwathite ABC is being run by veteran Mick Riley, who has had 58 years in the sport in one capacity or another, and the club is happy to take any new members aged 11 and over.

Earlier this year Huthwaite’s Paddy Connors, younger brother of pro boxer Danny, reached the Midlands final of the National Boys’ Clubs Championships in only his fourth fight.

And last week Huthwaite sent four boxers to the St George’s Club show in Hucknall.

Unfortunately two of them, Chris Jowett and Matt Hawkins, did not fight due to weight differences with their opponents.

But Richard Wheldon and Jai Gilford-Annable both put up good showings.

Wheldon (29), in his first fight for four years, made it eight wins out of nine with a unanimous points decision against Open Class boxer Russell Cartledge, of the Phoenix club. Wheldon was also awarded Boxer of the Night.

Gilford-Annable was narrowly beaten on a majority decision by Eastwood’s Connor Mitchell, though still looked a very good future prospect.

The resurgence of the club has pleased former member Huthwaite promoter/manager Scott Calow, who said: “Mick Riley was like a father figure to me.

“Even though I am now a pro manager and trainer I still take a big interest in amateur boxing and especially Huthwaite.

“It is brilliant to see it thriving again.”