Gym used by novice ABA fighter Connor Mulvey is burgled (From Basildon Recorder)

Gym used by novice ABA fighter Connor Mulvey is burgled

6:40pm Friday 18th December 2009

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A BOXING club has been left devastated after burglars stole valuable gym gear.

Coach Frank Doyle fears the break-in may even affect one of his fighter Connor Mulvey’s chances of winning a championship title this weekend.

Mr Doyle, who founded the Vange and Pitsea Boxing Club, said: “I feel sick. I’m so shocked. They have taken all our best equipment including all our gloves and headguards.

“I’ve had to go out and buy gloves and a headguard just so Connor can practise ahead of his big fight.”

Connor, 22, is training for the final of the Senior Novice ABA championship against Birm- ingham Paul Amis in Mansfield on Sunday.

Mr Doyle, 64, discovered the crime when he turned up for training at the gym in Glenmere Centre in Glenmere, Vange.

There were no obvious signs of a break-in so he believes the thieves may have hidden in the toilets when the gym was open and waited until everyone left before helping themselves.

The haul, worth around £1,000, included around eight Green headguards, several pairs of Lonsdale gloves, skipping ropes and a set of scales.

Mr Doyle added: “We try to do something for the community by training the kids to box and this is what happens.

“The thief or thieves took all our best, expensive stuff and it’s going to cost us a fortune to replace it.”

Police are investigating and appealing for witnesses.

Laura Anderson, spokeswoman for Basildon police, said: “Clearly this haul is very distinctive as headguards and boxing glove are not the usual fare burglars trade in.

“If you have seen these items changing hands we want to hear from you as you may be able to lead us to the crooks responsible for this crime.”

Anyone with information about the break-in, which happened between last Thursday and Sunday, can contact police at Pitsea on 0300 3334444 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

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