It’s official: after shutting its doors last September, the former Dixons School of Boxing has reopened under new management, and has been renamed as Boxway (Fitness Centre).

Edwin Micallef of Micallef Promotions, owner of the new gym and Malta’s first internationally recognized boxing promoter, recently called us and we spent some time discussing his reasons for taking over the fitness centre and his plans for going forward.

Edwin explained that he has been involved in the local boxing scene for a number of years. With his involvement going back to 2008 when his two younger siblings showed an interesting in taking up the sport and it was not long before he found himself involved in a number of amateur boxing committees and traveling with the local amateur boxing team for competitions and training camps abroad. Already an experienced events promoter, the organization and promotion of professional boxing shows was a natural step for Edwin.

 “Earlier in May this year my brother Daniel along with his friend and training partner Steve Martin successfully registered as professionals with the BBBofC and I decided to start scouting around for training facilities as I wanted to have greater control on the quality of training being offered to our young prospects” – “Then the former Dixon’s club came unexpectedly on the market and I decided to get a head start on my goals by acquiring the lease and the equipment,” said Edwin.

Asked about the future of professional boxing in the Maltese Islands, Edwin replied; “When the Malta Boxing Commission became affiliated with the European Boxing Union in June of this year, I saw this as a great opportunity for serious local boxers and clubs to enter the international boxing scene, 

the Malta Commission is an important platform for building a future for local boxing prospects in the Maltese Islands. Boxway is proud to call it self home to Malta’s first officially registered professional boxers.”

Commenting about the future of ‘Boxway’ as a boxing club and fitness centre, Edwin said; “The future looks great, membership has already doubled since we reopened and thanks to contacts provided by our boxing commission we have now started a training and co-operation program with the TKO in London which is not only one of the best boxing gyms in Europe but has some of the best trainers in the world such as Johnny Eames and Jimmy Tibbits – This year in August we had TRAD TKO Trainer Barry Smith, over for two weeks and recently we had one of our local pros, Clayton Vella over in London training for his pro debut which should be sometime this year”.

Edwin explained that the gym will be opening six days a week (closing Sunday) and will be offering training to local male and female professional boxers, special classes for amateur boxers at fixed hours and box-fit sessions. Children will get the opportunity to learn boxing basics, by experienced and qualified coaches.

For more information on membership and classes call Edwin Micallef on 99461751