Bancroft Boxing expanding programs for all ages

February 18, 2026

A diverse group. Purtell explained how impressed he is by the diversity of people that attend Bancroft Boxing. Here the competitive wrestling athletes, who come from all ages and backgrounds, pause for a photo. /SUBMITTED, Cody Purtell

By Bill Kilpatrick

When professional mixed martial arts fighter Cody Purtell opened Bancroft Boxing and Grappling in April of last year, he experienced a steep learning curve in terms of the ins and outs of owning a new business. “I’m a first-time business owner, so I didn’t know about the little things,” explained Purtell. But Purtell had a vision to create a mixed martial arts community from all walks of life and to improve the quality of life and confidence for all his members. Armed with grit and determination and a small loan from a family member, he started recruiting instructors, buying equipment, and making community connections with places like the wrestling team at the high school.

By the summer of 2025, he was running four classes in boxing, wrestling, kickboxing, and Jiu Jitsu and had around 12 members, and was struggling, but he was not about to throw in the towel. “If I have to get a part-time job to pay the rent, I will … ” he recalled telling a student who was training with him. Now, as the first anniversary approaches, he is already looking to expand his hours of operation and possibly his space as well.

Currently, he told , he is now up to 80 members, and has expanded his programming to include wrestling and boxing for kids ages five to 10, competitive wrestling classes, yoga classes, women’s boxing, fitness classes, sparring, family Jiu Jitsu, and he has also brought a personal trainer on board as well. He is also looking to expand his hours of operation and even possibly his training facility, but he still needs to examine the fiscal challenges of such a move.

Purtell is offering a March break training camp for youth aged eight to 14 years of age on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The training camp includes strength and mobility conditioning, boxing, wrestling, and mixed martial arts basics, along with a pizza party on Friday. He has expanded the amount of training equipment, which now includes a crash pad, a wrestling dummy, and multiple other pieces of boxing equipment.

Purtell also informed The Bancroft Times that he has created something called the Cottage Country Combat League, whose purpose, according to their Facebook page, is to provide “live mixed martial arts right here in Bancroft, Haliburton, and everywhere in between.” The combat league will provide a venue to promote mixed martial arts in the area and will include amateur fight cards that will be “professionally run, fully regulated, family-friendly shows.”

Purtell said that competitions such as these provide a “next step” that allows athletes from Bancroft Boxing to put their skills to the test and get “fair matchmaking” and a chance at a “real walkout moment.” Currently, Purtell is in talks with Haliburton County to host their first annual competition on May 2 at the A.J. LaRue Arena in Haliburton. He was hoping to hold the first event in Bancroft, but due to the upcoming renovations scheduled at the North Hastings Community Centre, he had to move the event to Haliburton. However, Purtell pointed out that he is hoping to host the annual event at different venues throughout the province each year.

“This is going to bring athletes from Ontario, Haliburton County, Bancroft, and everywhere in between. Tourism, restaurants, hotels, and local businesses will all benefit. The message: we’re creating a destination for combat sports,” said an excited Purtell.

This was not the only exciting information that Purtell had to share. He told The Bancroft Times that he has been picked up by a world-recognized fight management team, which means that he will not only be promoted internationally, but also have the opportunity to fight other professionals from around the world. When asked who the company was, Purtell explained that he was not able to disclose that information until his first official fight is lined up. “Now I will be on the radar of every big [fight promotion company] from around the world,” explained Purtell. “We’re not just running a gym here; we’re building a platform for local talent, local businesses, and local pride to come together. We’re putting Bancroft on the map through hard work and the opportunities [that we can provide.]”

Helping with those opportunities are local businesses that are providing sponsorships that help with the purchase of training equipment and provide funds that assist with transportation to competitions. “All funds go to the gym to help make things better,” stated Purtell. “We’re trying to build a fund up so we can take kids out to promotions so that it is easier for their parents and they don’t have any extra costs.” He further explained that they are currently looking for more local businesses who want to sponsor the club. He said that they will have their logo placed on t-shirts and get social media promotions, and year round promotion at the gym. Purtell is proud of what he is accomplishing at Bancroft Boxing, and he would like to get more businesses on board with sponsorships. “I personally think, and many people have told me, that this is the best thing that you can do in Bancroft,” stated Purtell.

For more information on pricing and class times, please visit Bancroft Boxing on Facebook. For more information on upcoming events by the Cottage Country Combat League, please visit their Facebook page. To reach Purtell in person please call 1-705-760-0938.