A much-loved grandad-of-fifteen from Levenshulme who taught youngsters boxing for more than four decades has passed away following a battle with cancer. Bob Dolan, hailed as a 'local celebrity in the area', is now being remembered for the 'fighter' he was.
The 75-year-old, who was a previously a pro-boxer along with his five brothers, following in the footsteps of his own father, first opened Bob's Gym in 1980, and continued to run the venue until his final years, when son Michael took the reigns. He passed away with his family by his side yesterday, Wednesday, March 30.
A heart-warming post, shared to the Levenshulme Amateur Boxing Club page on Thursday, paid tribute to Bob, after his 'final bell rang' on Wednesday evening. It read: "Devastated to announce the passing of our Head Coach, mentor and friend Bob Dolan.
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"Bob was an ex-pro who spend nearly 40 years in the amateur game helping local kids. He fought hard the last year but the final bell has rang.
"He laughed all the way through his terrible illness and even in the last few days told us he's gonna get up in a minute like Fury against Wilder! They broke the mould with him and he's irreplaceable. We are all heartbroken."
People were quick to share their own thoughts of the 75-year-old, with one person referring to him as 'an inspiration to many'. Another said: "A piece of Levenshulme has gone!"
As well as being a grandad to 15, Bob also had five sons, two daughters and was married to Margaret for 50 years. Speaking to the Manchester Evening News, one of his sons Michael, 35, said: "He was definitely a local celebrity and known by so many in the area. I have had so many messages already from people telling me he inspired them to get into boxing to begin with.
"He first opened the gym in 1980 at the old community centre, and then it was shut down in 2000, but he reopened a few years later on Cringle Park. He was still helping with running it up until the start of the pandemic and I have been taking over ever since.
"The amount of people he has had through that door over the years is in the thousands. He was laughing right until the end and the way he handled his cancer battle was just brilliant, he went last night surrounded by all of his family. We are so proud of him."
