The future of a historic boxing club is still in doubt after it was sold at auction to a mystery bidder.

St Mary’s Amateur Boxing Club, in Chatham, went under the hammer today (Monday).

The site was up for sale with five other units in Street End Road. It sold for £307,000 - £77,000 over the guide price of £220,000-£230,000.

The winning bidder was a man who did want to be identified. He said he was bidding on behalf of his business partner who runs several other enterprises in Kent. He said his partner was interested in the site because of its rental potential, but refused to comment further on his plans or if the boxing club would be allowed to stay.

St Mary’s Amateur Boxing Club, which is 70-years-old, launched the careers of former Commonwealth, European and WBU bantamweight champion Johnny Armour, top heavyweight Tom Dallas and world class referee Ian John Lewis.

St Mary’s has been at the site in Street End Road for more than 50 years. It has previously rented the property for a peppercorn rent of just £26 a year, but it was put up for sale following the death of its landlady.

Coaches at St Mary's have launched a campaign to secure the future of the club, with the backing of hundreds of people including famous fighters and boxing promoter Frank Maloney.

Any Bowler, daughter of club secretaries Dave and Jayne Bowler, was at the auction along with other members of the club.

She said: "It’s been an emotional day and we still don’t know what will happen."