Coaches

Gold Coast Boxing Coaches

With a combined 50 years of coaching, you're in good hands.

Fronted by head coach Ricky Budgen, the team of coaches at Empire Boxing Gym on the Gold Coast have a wealth of knowledge and experience placing them amongst the elite in not only South East Queensland’s but Australia’s Boxing trainers. The team at Empire commit to making every class as fun as possible without sacrificing professionalism. Although we  train professional’s, we get just as much enjoyment training hobbyists and those who are looking to just break a sweat instead of gruelling constant reps at a weight gym. 

"I've had the pleasure to train with Ricky & his team on and off since 2013. It was a privilage to get ready for fights both local and international with Ricky and I highly recommend anyone looking to train no matter your skill or fitness level. An amazing gym & an amzing team!"
Bec Rawlings MMA
Bec Rawlings Former UFC Athlete, Former BKFC Champion, Current Bellator MMA
Ricky Budgen

Ricky began boxing in 1985, turning professional in 1992 winning the Australian Strawweight and Queensland Light Flyweight Title. Ricky also challenged for the Australian Flyweight Title and travelled to Bangkok Thailand to challenge the (PABA) Pan Asian Boxing Association champion. Ricky is an AIBA International Boxing Association 1-Star and level 2 Australian boxing coach, a Strength & Conditioning Coach and a Sportsmind Trainer (NLP based psychological skills training for athletes). Coach Ricky is also a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Black Belt under Vincent Perry after beginning his Jiu Jitsu training in early 2008.

Gold-Coast-Boxing-Coach-Ricky-Budgen
Gold-Coast-Boxing-Coach-Jemma-Peart
Jemma Peart

Jemma is the current Australian Professional Light Flyweight Champion. As an amateur Jemma has won QLD and Golden Gloves championships and has competed at the Olympic selection trials mixing it with some of Australia’s best boxers. Jemma is at the gym every day with her infectious hard work and dedication. In her class you will get correct boxing technique along with a great work out. Jemma is always available for support or just a chat. Come in and try out her women’s only boxing class on Wednesday nights.

Jake Anderson

Jake started Thai Boxing in 2008 and has over 10 years experience in mixed martial arts, having competed in both. Jake is an active qualified personal trainer and strength & conditioning coach who provides private sessions in BJJ, Muay Thai, Boxing & MMA. Jake has been fortunate enough to train under legendary coaches such as Vincent Perry & Sam Nest and alongside many former and current UFC , Bellator & ONE Championship fighters.

Why Empire Boxing Academy?

At Empire we pride ourselves on being a family friendly gym without sacrificing professionalisim and base our training culture around three rules:

  • Train hard.
  • Train fair.
  • Respect your training partners.

Our promise to you. . .

We promise to make every class:

  • Informative.
  • Practical and professional.
  • Fun, of course!