About me

Coaching is a partnership. I care about my clients, their development and their long term health and happiness.

My philosophy

Since starting Barnburner, I've met hundreds of people of all ages and abilities.

This has taught me that boxing and conditioning is something anyone can develop and enjoy.

I coach boxing training and fitness as a long term lifestyle choice.
I don’t believe in unsustainable crash courses that set you up for failure.
I am patient, encouraging and realistic.
I will never ask anyone to to do anything they are not prepared for.

I found competitive boxing in my mid 30s.
- I represented the Empire School of Boxing in the first ‘Masters’ division.
- I then joined the club’s coaching staff, working with stellar coaches and talented boxers.
- After 10 happy years at Empire, I started my own training service — Barnburner Boxing and Fitness.
I have all the required qualifications to train you in a safe, welcoming environment.
- I am a Level 2 England Boxing coach — this means I’m qualified to run my own gym.
- I am an Onnit Certified Trainer — I can teach you how to train with functional fitness tools
- I am DBS checked.
- I am First Aid trained.
- I have public liability insurance.
Corporate clients:
- Boxing Well
- Engie UK
- Ernst & Young Global
- Family Gateway
- Northumberland PRU
- Procter & Gamble
- Teleperformance UK
- Quorum Business Park
- Rise North East
- Girl Guides
- The Sea Scouts

Testimonials

“If you're looking for an affordable 1 to 1 training session that's tailored exactly to your needs then Barnburner Boxing is well worth a shot. Neil is a very knowledgeable and progressive boxing coach with his roots set firmly in the old school ethic. He's one of the genuinely good guys.”

Bob, Choppington
“Neil brings so much to each session that in the few months my daughter's been attending her confidence has improved and she's developed invaluable boxing skills and knowledge. In her own words the best thing she's ever started!”

Jill, Bedlington
“Fantastic coach, top bloke and a pleasure to train with. Would highly recommend for anyone wanting to get fit, to learn some boxing technique, build some confidence and to test yourself!”

David, West Allotment
“Started with Neil about 3 months ago and I wish I'd started earlier! The 1:1 session format is ideal for someone like me who is just starting out and Neil is a top bloke who knows his stuff and is dead easy to get along with. Can't recommend highly enough.”

Callum, Stakeford
"Ideal place for a beginner to learn boxing at an affordable price. It's 1 on 1 so you get the full attention for the whole session. Neil is a really good, very patient coach and he's really canny in general. I've been 3 times now and each time it's been the fastest hour as I'm enjoying it that much."

Mark, Blyth
"Great personal trainer, knows his stuff about boxing skills and friendly to deal with."

Michael, Ashington
"Neil offers a great professional service. His knowledge on the sport of boxing and eye for detail is visible from the first session. If you want to learn the intricacies of boxing or the conditioning elements, I could not recommend Barnburner boxing enough."

Jonny, North Tyneside
"Brilliant trainer, really good environment and couldn't be more helpful!"

Matthew, Blyth
"Ideal place to train. Very professional and very friendly service. Top guy and very lovely with it. I would highly recommend Neil as your personal trainer."

Christine, Blyth

With Les Welsh, my coach and mentor. A lovely man and an elite boxing mind.

With two of the Stewart brothers. Real characters.

With Leon and Cameron. Two very talented young boxers that I was privileged to work with.

In my early coaching days I kept my eyes open and mouth shut. I learned from the very best coaches.

With Big Tony after a win. My kind of boxer — a serious guy in the ring — a perfect gentleman outside.

Boxing community displays with my friend Mark 'Mez' Richardson.

Group training at Engie. The nicest of people. They helped me find my feet in my early solo days.

Personal training. With former Newcastle Utd star Olivier Bernard.

So, who’s in?

Contact me for more information.

Contact me

About me

My philosophy

“If you're looking for an affordable 1 to 1 training session that's tailored exactly to your needs then Barnburner Boxing is well worth a shot. Neil is a very knowledgeable and progressive boxing coach with his roots set firmly in the old school ethic. He's one of the genuinely good guys.”

“Neil brings so much to each session that in the few months my daughter's been attending her confidence has improved and she's developed invaluable boxing skills and knowledge. In her own words the best thing she's ever started!”

“Fantastic coach, top bloke and a pleasure to train with. Would highly recommend for anyone wanting to get fit, to learn some boxing technique, build some confidence and to test yourself!”

“Started with Neil about 3 months ago and I wish I'd started earlier! The 1:1 session format is ideal for someone like me who is just starting out and Neil is a top bloke who knows his stuff and is dead easy to get along with. Can't recommend highly enough.”

"Great personal trainer, knows his stuff about boxing skills and friendly to deal with."

"Neil offers a great professional service. His knowledge on the sport of boxing and eye for detail is visible from the first session. If you want to learn the intricacies of boxing or the conditioning elements, I could not recommend Barnburner boxing enough."

"Brilliant trainer, really good environment and couldn't be more helpful!"

"Ideal place to train. Very professional and very friendly service. Top guy and very lovely with it. I would highly recommend Neil as your personal trainer."

So, who’s in?