A BOXING club boss is punching above his weight after transforming his gym against all the odds following a massive flood.

Coach Kenny Crighton, who has run the Port Glasgow Victoria BC for more than 25 years, feared that it may have to close after a major leak in the roof caused the fusebox to go on fire.

Now just over a year later the club is off the ropes and fighting back, with its former Glenpark Rangers hall building totally refurbished.

Kenny said: "The gym has been transformed.

"Not that long ago it was ready to fall down.

"The roof has been repaired and the front of the building has been roughcasted.

"The gym has been fully repainted and re-wired, we have a new female changing room, new toilets and the storage cupboard where the roof came in has been rebuilt.

"We have new equipment, weights, 20 new power bags and 10 weighted vests and two new speed balls.

It's looking brilliant."

The club has never been busier and stalwart Kenny is being supported by coaches Rodney Campbell, Kenny McDonald, Kyle Wilson and a host of volunteers.

Kenny said: "We are absolutely mobbed.

"We have at least 30 adults most nights, 25 juniors and up to 15 five to eight year-olds."

Kenny says he wants to thank Inverclyde Council for providing a cash grant and everyone who helped them to match fund and raise £5,000.

Some of the Victoria boxers recently took part in their first tournament with great success.

Five members competed in the Scotland Novice Championships last month and Declan Lynch struck gold while Lewis Staley and Leon Tom gained silver medals.

Port town councillor Drew McKenzie, who has been a long term supporter of the club, said: "It's amazing what they have done in the club.

"Kenny and his boys are not just running a boxing club, they are keeping young people fit and off the streets and teaching them respect, qualities they will take with them to the outside world."