Latest News

Back to Latest News back

 

Brisbane boxing gym first opened by Joe Frazier destroyed by fire

Brisbane boxing gym first opened by Joe Frazier destroyed by fire
July 4, 2019

The Fortitude Boxing gym, opened back in 1985 by former World Heavyweight boxing champion Smokin' Joe Frazier, has been destroyed by fire.

Emergency services were called to the Kyabra Street business in the Brisbane suburb of Newstead just after 12.30am on Tuesday and found the building well alight upon arrival.

Dozens of firefighters battled to bring the blaze under control, whiuch was achieved 1.30am, although one fire crew remained at the scene by 7.30am.

Fortitude Boxing gym owner Stephan Deller, visibly upset after seeing what was left of his business, told Nine News he had been working with people and children in the area for decades.

Deller stated "(I've) been here for a long time ... it's my life."

Former boxing world champion Jeff Horn occasionally sparred at the inner-city gym and posted on social media that he was sorry to hear about the "terrible" fire.

Fortitude Boxing volunteer Todd Gee said in addition to the boxing and fitness equipment, a significant amount of boxing and cricket memorabilia had also been lost.

Gee stated "there are so many people in the community that depend on it, that place is one in a million and welcomes people from all walks of life.

"It is very old school ... but nothing is salvageable, priceless memorabilia was lost.

"It wasn't just a gym, it was like a social club or a community centre ... everyone is gutted."

Former staff member Bri Coombe said champion boxers trained at the Newstead gym, adding "it definitely had a massive reputation in Brisbane and Australia-wide ... and a great reputation for building some champions as well," she said.

Coombe said seven-time all-Ireland champion Conor Wallace and Queensland rising star Benny Kite called Fortitude Boxing home.

A GoFundMe has been launched with the goal of raising $350,000 to restore the 34-year-old gym.

Queensland Police are reportedly investigating the cause of the blaze.

Images: Tuesday morning's fire at Fortitude Boxing (top and below) and Fortitude Boxing owner Stephen Deller (second from right) with Smokin' Joe Frazier (second from left) and former heavyweight Joe Bugner (right). Images, courtesy of Fortitude Boxing/Facebook.

Related Articles

24th June 2019 - Children arrested after fire destroys Big Brother house

6th July 2018 - F45 Pacific Pines gym looks to bounce back after ‘suspicious’ fire

22nd June 2015 - Fire damages Waltzing Matilda Centre in Winton

25th October 2014 - Fire causes $1 million worth of damage at Next Generation club in Perth’s Kings Park

25th June 2014 - Kimberley ultramarathon organiser claims ‘deliberately lit’ fire led to burn victims catastrophe

7th November 2013 - Police release CCTV of arson attack on Sydney trampoline centre

26th April 2013 - Fire risk shuts down Ballarat leisure operations

24th March 2012 - Arson squad probes fire at Kwinana fitness centre


Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.

 

supplier directory

The Complete Guide to Leisure Industry Products & Services.

See the directory see all

Gladstone MRM

Gladstone Health & Leisure (Gladstone MRM Pty Ltd Australia) is a leading supplier of leisure management and fitness software and is endorsed by leading health and fitness professionals and…

read more

Access / Billing / Fitness / Technology / Venues

 
 

@leisure Planners

@leisure is a team of experienced leisure, aquatic and sports facility managers and planners, with market modelling, sports management, recreation planning, business and GIS qualifications. We have…

read more

Consultants

 
 

Anti Wave Global

Anti Wave Global is the original suppliers of top performance swim, aquatic sports, leisure and pool programming equipment. Founded in 1971, Anti Wave Global is proud of its long and tested…

read more

Aquatics / Play / Sport

 
 

Pricemark Pty Ltd

Pricemark supplies a wide range of custom branded membership & RFID access products for the Health & Leisure Industry. 

read more

Access

 
 

DAE Global

DAE Global is one of the world’s leading international creative and production practitioners, creating award-winning sport, culture and entertainment experiences for over 30 years.  It was…

read more

Culture / Entertainment / Events / Venues

 
 

LIFE FLOOR (Aus & NZ)

Our team believes floors should be beautiful, comfortable, and engineered for safety, even when wet. Life Floor tiles meet six unique performance based standards: slip-resistance, impact absorption,…

read more

Aquatics / Play / Recreation / Safety / Surfaces

 
 

Myzone

Email for trade enquiries: Enquiriesapac@myzone.org  Customer support desk - Click Myzone support or go to ‘help’ on myzone app to access live support. Myzone® is the leading…

read more

Fitness / Sport / Technology / Wellness

 
 

Abel Sports

INTRODUCTION Abel Sports is Australia’s leading manufacturer and suppliers of Goal Posts, sports ground safety netting systems and coaches boxes for Stadiums ,Sports Clubs, Councils and…

read more

Recreation / Sport / Venues

 
 
 
 

get listed with our suppliers directory

Get your business noticed in our targeted directory. Viewed by 10,000 industry professionals per week!

list your business