Earlier this month, one of the greatest boxers of this generation, Manny Pacquiao, announced his retirement from the sport after taking his 57th career win in the ring with a unanimous decision over Timothy Bradley. The resounding impact of his announcement across the mainstream media is testament to the powerful force that the sport of boxing is on a global level.
Known as the “Sweet Science”, boxing is undoubtedly one of the most respected combat arts in the world today. It has, over the last 50 years, produced superstars who are still household names today such as Mohammad Ali, Mike Tyson, Sugar Ray Robinson and Floyd Mayweather.
It also happens to be a phenomenal workout that melts away fat, builds muscle, and gets you into the best shape of your life. It is an ideal sport for beginners to pick up. Whether someone is looking to work up a sweat or is harbouring aspirations of being the next boxing superstar, beginners learn quickly that boxing is in fact a highly technical striking discipline that requires a great deal of strategy and knowledge to achieve mastery. If you are a first-timer looking to try your hand at boxing, this helpful list of the top 7 boxing gyms in Singapore will point you in the right direction.
Evolve MMA (above)
With three gyms conveniently located in the hotspots of Singapore and more expected to open soon, the award-winning Evolve MMA is the clear dominant player in the combat sports scene here in Asia. It caters to complete beginners to advanced experts and also has the largest Children’s Program in Asia.
The pristine, state-of-the-art gym is well known for its stellar lineup of world champion instructors in every discipline of combat sports it offers, and for boxing it is no different. It is the only boxing gym in Asia with two authentic World Champions to lead its boxing programme.
WBA Boxing World Champion Yodsanan Sityodtong (58-3 with 47 KOs) and WBC Boxing World Champion Pongsaklek Wonjongkam (90-5-2 with 47 KOs) head the Evolve Boxing Program together with an army of other instructors. Alongside them are dozens other world champions like Nong-O Gaiyanghadao, Nonthachai Sit O, Muangfalek Kiatvichian and more who conduct personal and group classes daily.
Juggernaut Fight Club
Situated along Hong Kong Street, Juggernaut Fight Club has been making waves on the regional stage by grooming young amateurs into medal-winning representatives for Singapore in major games. The boxing programme is led by ex-National Boxer and Coach Arvind Lalwani, who has earned top honors for the country in boxing since 2000.
The no-nonsense approach to training in the gym was developed based on Lalwani’s experiences training with a former Russian Special Forces Boxing Coach, as well as a stint with Mohammad Ali’s own personal trainer Angelo Dundee. Students can join classes which occur up to three times a day in the mornings and evenings.
Kadir’s Boxing School
If you’re looking for a rustic old-school experience for boxing, Kadir’s Boxing School is the perfect place.
Helmed and named after former national boxing coach Syed Abdul Kadir, the boxing programme draws from his wide-ranging experience both inside and outside the ring.
Kadir started boxing at the age of 9, and has been at the forefront of Singapore’s boxing scene for the past 30 years after representing the nation in the Commonwealth games and Asian Games.
Recognised by the Singapore Sports Council as the “Sportsman of the Year” in 1974, “Coach of the Year” in 1985, and one of “Singapore’s 50 Greatest Athletes of the Century” in 1999, Kadir continues his mission today to find and groom local talent to represent Singapore on the international stage.
Legends Fight Sport
Training at Legends Fight Sport brings you close to the heart of the boxing scene in Singapore. The pool of local trainers is made up of a dedicated and enthusiastic bunch, all of whom are still active fighters on the national level.
Spending their time introducing beginners to the sport between competitive training sessions to hone their own skills, Muhammad Ridwan, Coach Ali, and Muhamad Hafiz all share the common goal of bringing up the level of the sport they love here in their homeland.
Head Coach Ridwan believes strongly in a training methodology that includes lots of sparring to hone a fighter’s skills, speed, and reflexes. So be prepared to hit and get hit from the get go!
Ares Fight Club
Based in the western part of Singapore, Ares Fight Club is proud to be a “boxing-only” club. The gym offers purely boxing and boxing fitness training and is a perfect place for beginners to be introduced to the sport without any distractions.
Coach Sri heads up this establishment and brings multiple generations of boxing experience with him, having come from a family of boxers. Using unconventional but completely original methods of training, Coach Sri focuses on improving the skills and conditioning of both the competitive boxer and the boxing fitness enthusiasts.
The gym is fully equipped with heavy bags and a full-size boxing ring for trainees to test their skills in.
Fight G
While Fight G is better known today for the local MMA prospects that it has been churning out, it began almost 30 years ago as a boxing gym.
Founder Darren De Silva was a former national boxer who represented Singapore at the Asian Boxing Championships and has now devoted his time to imparting his skills and knowledge to a growing pool of young enthusiasts.
Tucked away in a nondescript corner of North Canal Road, Fight G’s classes are often packed to the brim every weekday evening with students and young adults looking for an intense workout.
While there is only one public boxing class listed on the weekly schedule, it is because most of De Silva’s clients book private sessions to hone their boxing skills one-on-one.
Spartan Boxing
Spartan Boxing has a robust boxing programme takes beginners through the basics before leveling up to a competitive standard.
Expect a full workout when you go for a session at this gym because their goal is to help students achieve their personal fitness goals regardless of whether they ever throw a punch in competition.
Boxing routines are supplemented by strength and conditioning sessions, providing a holistic training programme that a student will never feel bored with.
