About Fortitude Boxing Gym

Originally established in 1985, FORTITUDE BOXING is a REAL “Old School” Boxing gym, now located at a fresh new premises: at 68 Abbotsford Road, Bowen Hills.

FORTITUDE is more than just a gym – we are a family, dedicated to the growth of each individual. We provide coaching and group fitness classes for people from all walks of life – from the beginners, right through to the pros. Whether you’re looking for a fun way to get fit, the challenge of getting into the ring, or have serious dreams of becoming a successful Amateur or Pro Fighter, the Fortitude Family is for you!

At Fortitude, we’ve been training champions for over 30 years. Learn REAL boxing from the best in the industry – our Coaches and fighters have a wealth of experience, winning titles in Amateur and Professional Boxing throughout Australia and the world.

A little bit of history: In the early hours of July 2nd, 2019, a devastating fire gutted the original gym on Kyabra Street. Trophies, belts and boxing accolades from Fortitude’s success in Amateur and Professional boxing lined the walls, and unfortunately perished. With the help of our community pulling together, we were able to rebuild and continue training at our Robertson Street location.

We are proud to announce that in June 2021, we opened our brand new premises on Abbotsford Road – the NEW permanent home of FORTITUDE. Our new facility is equipped with a range of boxing bags, full size boxing ring, weights area, cardio machines, and a variety of equipment for strength and conditioning – all that you need to get the best training sessions in, no matter what your goal!

Here at Fortitude, we have group training classes, strength and conditioning classes, one-on-one coaching, Amateur Boxing Training and Junior Boxing – lots of options for the best type of training to suit you.

Our continued success is a testament to the people that make Fortitude great.

Come join our FORTITUDE FAMILY – we can’t wait to meet you.

Meet the Team

Steve Deller
Owner / Head boxing coach

The founder of Fortitude Boxing, Steve’s expertise in the field is unmatched. Having trained, managed, and promoted an astounding number of Olympians and Commonwealth Game Champions, State, National, and ONE World Champion, this man is the reason you come to Fortitude! Steve can be found around the gym and is always up for a yarn, so don’t forget to say HELLO!

Luke Meldon
Owner / Head Coach

Lightning Luke Meldon is one exceptional character.

Luke currently trains the current Australian Heavyweight Champion, Faiga Django Opelu, the Australian Light Heavyweight Champion, Conor Walace, and the Australasian Welterweight Champion, Ben Kite.

Being a former amateur that trained at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra, Luke helped bring up some of the best boxers in the game including Jarrod Fletcher, Todd Kidd, James Giltrow, and Greg Eadie. If you get a chance to do pads with a man of this calibre, you take it! Luke is dedicated to helping other reach their personal goals. He’s available for PTs and private boxing lessons. There’s no better man to teach the art of boxing than Luke.

Julie Gaston
Boxing Coach

Julie is a former Australian Boxing and Muay Thai World Champion, and brings that knowledge, experience and passion into every class she runs at Fortitude Boxing. Try one of her 6pm Boxing Classes if you’re ready to work up a serious sweat. 

Keppler Wessels
Boxing Coach / PT

A former cricket champion and captain for the South African team, Keppler played for both Australia and South Africa. Keppler has huge knowledge in elite sports conditioning and coaching, along with vast experience in boxing. At the gym, he assists with coaching and pad sessions for the Fortitude Fighters. He is available for both boxing and PT sessions. If you want to train with the best, Keppler is your man!

Ben Kite
Australasian welterweight champion. Boxing & Conditioning coach / pt

‘Banging’ Ben Kite is a member of our Fortitude Pro Team and current Australasian Welterweight Champion.

When Ben isn’t training the house down, he is coaching our classes and destroying our members with his epic workout routines! Ben also takes one-on-one and private group PT’s. If you’re serious about reaching your goals, he’s the man to see!

Alexis Vaubien
Strength & Conditioning Coach / Boxing Coach/PT

Alexis (or Frenchie, as we affectionately know him) can often be seen running our Boxing, MetCon (metabolic conditioning) & Junior Boxing classes. He has been boxing for five years and training in various martial arts from a number of years. Frenchie specialises in boxing, body transformation, functional training and strength and conditioning. He runs one-on-one PT sessions and also makes customised training programs. Hit him up to help you with your fitness goals.
 

Erik
Accredited Pt/ boxing coach

Accredited PT based in Fortitude Valley, Brisbane. Erik specialises in boxing technique, with a background of 11 years training & over 100 fights. Coach Erik offers group boxing classes, strength & conditioning training & PT sessions both privately and through Fortitude Boxing.
 

Conor Wallace
Australian Light-Heavyweight Champion / Boxing Coach / PT

7 Time All Ireland National Champion, Conor left Ireland to join Fortitude’s Pro Boxing Team.

Conor now also holds the title of Australian Light-Heavyweight Champion, and his BoxFit classes will have you not just getting your heart rate up but developing the foundations and proper form and technique for boxing.

For those serious about taking their boxing up a notch, Conor is available for private sessions

Mick Kennedy
Boxing Coach

Irish Mick Kennedy joined the team at Fortitude after a stint in the UK, bringing his knowledge from the ring itself as a boxer and now as a trainer.

Mick is in the gym on a regular basis, he runs the 5pm boxing classes and works in the corner with the boxers on fight nights. Irish Mick is a big part of the team at Fortitude.

Jarrod Fletcher
Boxing Coach / PT

Commonwealth Games Gold Medalist, Olypmian, and WBA Middleweight Champion, Jarrod has a huge boxing career spanning over 180 competitive fights. His knowledge and experience in the sport is second-to-none. You’ll frequently see Jarrod around the gym, as well as taking BoxFit classes on Friday morning. He is also available for PT’s if you want a seriously killer workout. 

Fortitude Facilities

FORTITUDE FACILITIES

With one of the best decked out boxing gyms in Brisbane we have the following available to all clients:

  • Skipping Ropes
  • Olympic Size Boxing Ring (6m x 6m) 
  • Assorted Punching Bags 
  • Floor To Ceiling Balls 
  • Speed Balls 
  • Ample floor space for Pad Work 
  • RPM Bikes 
  • Rowers
  • Free Weights 
  • Weight Machines 
  • Junkyard Equipment (Tyres, Kegs, Prowlers) 
  • Ceiling Rope Climb 
  • Bathrooms, 
  • Showers and Locker Rooms

We have the following available to purchase:

  • Cold drinks
  • Fortitude Merchandise 
  • All the latest boxing equipment

The Fortitude Difference

Real boxing for real people

Learn from the Pros

Technique base boxing classes taught by real boxers.

Family and Community

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