Eagles Community Arena

The Eagles Community Arena, now known as the Vertu Motors Arena, is a testament to Newcastle's rich sporting history and love affair with boxing. Nestled in the Elswick area of Newcastle upon Tyne, this multi-purpose venue has become a cornerstone of the local community since its inception.

While the arena may be relatively new to Newcastle's sporting landscape, the city has a storied boxing heritage stretching back decades. The venue, formerly known as the Newcastle Arena and later the Metro Radio Arena, has played host to some of British boxing's most memorable moments. From its opening in 1995, the arena quickly became a premier destination for fight fans across the North East.

The first major boxing event at the arena set the tone for what was to come, featuring none other than the "Dark Destroyer" Nigel Benn in a WBC Super Middleweight title defence. This was followed by a string of high-profile bouts that read like a who's who of British boxing. In 1996, the flamboyant Prince Naseem Hamed brought his unique showmanship to Newcastle, defending his WBO Super Featherweight title. The arena has also witnessed the rise of local heroes, with Joe Calzaghe twice defending his WBO Super Middleweight title within its walls. The venue's reputation as a boxing hotbed was further cemented when it hosted a historic night in 1999, featuring Joe Calzaghe and Richie Woodhall defending their respective world titles on the same card.

As the years progressed, the arena continued to attract boxing's biggest names. Ricky Hatton, the pride of Manchester, headlined a card defending his WBU Light Welterweight title in 2002. The venue has also played a crucial role in the careers of modern British boxing stars. In 2009, Amir Khan brought pay-per-view boxing to Newcastle, defending his WBA Light Welterweight title in a Sky Box Office event. More recently, the arena has hosted fights featuring Stuart Hall and Anthony Joshua, the latter headlining a live Sky Sports event in 2015 before becoming the world's heavyweight champion.

Beyond the professional ranks, Newcastle has a proud amateur boxing tradition. The city has produced numerous champions who have competed in the England Boxing National Amateur Championships, formerly the ABA Championships. Local institutions like the Wallsend Boys Club have nurtured this grassroots boxing culture, which has been developing young talent since the late 1930s.

As we look to the future, the Vertu Motors Arena continues to evolve, serving as a boxing venue and as a hub for various sports and community events. Its legacy in the boxing world, however, remains indelible. From world title fights to nurturing local talent, this Newcastle landmark has played a pivotal role in shaping the UK's boxing landscape. As long as the sweet science thrives in the North East, the arena will undoubtedly remain at the heart of Newcastle's fighting spirit.