Matthew Macklin
At just 10 years old, Matthew Macklin first walked through the doors of Small Heath ABC. Exactly 18 years to the day after his first fight on St.Patricks Day 1994, Macklin fought for the World Middleweight Championship against Sergio Martinez at Madison Square Garden in New York City. This was Macklin’s second of three attempts to become World Champion, the other two being against Gennady Golovkin and Felix Sturm – the Sturm fight being regarded as one of the worst decisions of the modern era.
As an amateur, Macklin won the NABC’s twice, the Junior and Senior ABA’s in his first year. He also boxed for England at Schoolboy, Young England and Senior levels and in 2000 was named young boxer of the year. As a professional, Macklin would also go on to win the European Middleweight title twice alongside the British and Irish titles too.
Macklin reminisces
“I’m proud of what I achieved in boxing and it was a fantastic journey that all started at the Small Heath ABC gym on fazeley street. I boxed there from the age of 11 up until 18 and will cherish those memories forever.”