New Home For Crolla’s Club

Posted on by Dominic McGuinness

New Home For Crolla's Club

Anthony Crolla has finally found a new home for his amateur club after fire destroyed its former building.

Working in partnership with Maverick Stars, the new Fox ABC is taking shape within the clubhouse of AVRO Football Club in Limeside, near Oldham.  It's been a frustrating search for a new property since the fire rendered the club homeless in March. But now, the former WBA lightweight world champion is delighted that young people will soon have a new gym to head to.

"It's a great location on the estate," Anthony said. "it's a great location for a boxing gym. There'll be a lot of kids that'll get great use out of it. There are classroom facilities which we can use for some of the kids in the area - honestly, I can't wait for it. With the backing of Maverick Stars as well, I'm really excited for the future."

It's nearly a year since Anthony retired from the ring to concentrate on the next chapter of his career as a boxing coach. He's also managed to find time to help out with the refurbishment of the room which will house the new gym - although someone should probably take the heavy tools off him!

Click the link below to find out more......

 

Downtime – But Not For Long

Posted on by Dominic McGuinness

Down-time - But Not For Long

Chantelle Cameron's been enjoying the spoils of her recent world title triumph, but insists the party will soon be over and the job of unifying the belts will begin.

The Maverick Stars ambassador was sublime in defeating Adrian dos Santos Araujo to claim the WBC super-lightweight title on October 4. It's been something of a whirlwind for the Northampton fighter since achieving one of her many goals.

"It's been unbelievable," Chantelle said. "Last week I was on a massive high and this week I'm in bed because I'm absolutely exhausted - a massive comedown! But I'm still so happy I got the win."

The new champ made the most of her first week with her new title - socialising with friends and showing the shiny green WBC belt off at local schools. Chantelle's been enjoying the down-time, but that will all change soon as she gets back to business.

"I've got the carrot now and I can dangle that carrot. People want the WBC belt and I have it. I'm not the one on the chase anymore, the [other] world champions, if they want the WBC they've got to come through me and I'm absolutely buzzing with that," she explained.

Although Chantelle believes she's a natural lightweight, the plan to unify the belts means she'll stay in the higher weight division for the time being. While the WBA belt is currently vacant, American Mary McGee holds the IBF version, while Christina Linardatou of Greece is the WBA champion.

"Katie Taylor has got the belts at lightweight," added Chantelle. "I can't be hanging around, wasting years waiting for Katie to fight me. I need to grab belts where I can so the next step is [staying] at super-lightweight."

Gallagher’s View

Posted on by Dominic McGuinness

Joe Gallagher is expecting another Vasiliy Lomachenko masterclass when the Ukrainian takes on fellow world champion Teofimo Lopez this weekend.

The Manchester trainer was in the opposite corner when his fighter - and Maverick Stars ambassador - Anthony Crolla endured a painful early stoppage at the hands of the three-weight world champion back in April 2018.

"It's a very good fight," Joe said. "Loma is an unbelievable fighter, so skilful, but he makes it look so easy. It's not as easy as it looks!  You've seen what he did to poor Anthony - no-one's ever done that before and Anthony's been in with some great fighters. Loma is something else."

Unbeaten, hard-hitting, brash and at 23 nearly a decade younger than Lomachenko, Lopez holds the IBF lightweight title and is out to make his own statement.

"He's young, ambitious and carries serious power," said Joe. "Maybe Loma has got old overnight, but he will have had to have got old overnight to lose this fight. I just feel when somebody comes with a bit of trash talk and a bit of an edge, you just see a better Lomachenko."

Regardless of events in Las Vegas, Joe will be focussed on his fighter Paul Butler who returns to the ring this weekend. The former world bantamweight champion takes on Ryan Walker in Wakefield. It's the start of what could be a busy spell for Joe's stable with Callum Smith, Callum Johnson and Natasha Jonas all angling for fights before the year is out. For Jonas, who's recent world title fight with Terri Harper ended in a controversial draw, Joe has a clear vision.

"I do think Katie Taylor and Natasha Jonas is a huge fight for next year for St Pat's [night]. Whether that's in Dublin, London or Liverpool or over in New York or Boston.  I think Natasha's profile is good at the moment."

To hear more from Joe, click below......

 

Quigg’s Next Challenge

Posted on by Dominic McGuinness

Quigg's Next Challenge

Former world champion Scott Quigg has joined forces with Maverick Stars for the next chapter of his career - helping to guide young people down the right path in his hometown, Bury.

The ex-WBA super-bantamweight champion decided to hang up the gloves after his last fight against Jono Carroll in March, and is now looking forward to his next challenge.

"I've achieved a lot in my career and I've enjoyed it," Scott explained. "People know I didn't finish school, I had no education but I was very fortunate I had a mum and dad that supported me. I had people that offered me help and direction and they helped me create a path to go on and achieve something. I know how difficult my life would have been without those people around me.

"I want to create opportunities for teenagers who are at a crossroads and might be getting into a bit of bother. Also, I want to help teenagers that are excelling in school - give them opportunities to go even further."

Scott will be spearheading Maverick Stars 'Sting Like a Bee' initiative in Bury. The programme, which helps to tackle anti-social behaviour by providing boxing training and employment opportunities, has proved to be a big success in the nine other boroughs of Greater Manchester and is now being delivered in other parts of the UK.

"I've seen what Maverick Stars has done - through a mutual friend we were connected," Scott said. "The town of Bury has done so much for me - boxing was banned in Bury but the council overturned that so I could fight in my home town. I think we can do really good things with help from Maverick Stars."

 

Burton’s Time To Shine – Million Dollar Crolla

Posted on by Dominic McGuinness

Anthony Crolla is backing Hosea Burton to upset the local favourite when he takes to the ring in Latvia on Saturday night. Burton takes on Ricards Botelniks in the semi-final of the 'Golden Contract' tournament in Riga.

Since hanging up the gloves, Crolla has been helping Joe Gallagher train his former stablemates along with coaching his own professional fighters. Speaking to Maverick Stars from the fight hotel in Riga, 'Million Dollar' reckons it's now Burton's time to shine.

"I've said it all along, if the best Hosea turns up he wins this tournament," Anthony said. "He has very very underrated punching power. Every sparring partner says the same thing."

The dangerous Botelniks beat Steven Ward with a first round knockout in his previous fight, but the big Belfast man was weight-drained.

"With Botelniks, he caught Steven Ward with a great shot but I think the weight played a huge part," Anthony explained. "There's no denying the weight played a big part in that.  On Saturday night, Hosea's got to be switched on from the very start, and that's put a little bit of fear into him. He always fights best when that happens."

With press obligations and the weigh-in, there's never much down-time during fight week, but Anthony, Joe, Hosea and his brother Chase have had chance to have a look around and take in a few of Riga's sights.

"It's a great city," said Anthony. "They've had a very low infection and death rate with COVID so things are pretty much normal here. I'm told it's a bit quieter with tourists and we're here on a job, but we are having a look around and it's a lovely city. The people have been great for us and I'm really looking forward to Saturday night. It's a massive night for Hosea Burton - the biggest night of his career."

 

 

Crolla Plea For New Gym

Posted on by Dominic McGuinness

Crolla Plea For New Gym

Manchester boxing legend Anthony Crolla has made a plea for help in finding a new home for his amateur boxing gym.

The building that housed Fox ABC was destroyed in a fire at the end of March this year. Since then, Crolla - in partnership with Maverick Stars - has been searching the Failsworth/Newton Heath areas for a suitable unit without success.

With young people facing issues such as anti-social behaviour, obesity and poor mental health, Crolla is desperate to provide a safe space once again. The former WBA lightweight world champion is calling on any business or individual with a spare unit, to contact Maverick Stars.

"Get in touch!"  Anthony said. "Hopefully something will pop up soon. We had a bit of bad luck with one place, we were doing all the checks but with the council, the ground rates were extortionate. It just made no sense at all. We viewed another place that would've been perfect, but that went.  Something will pop up hopefully!

"I just want to get the kids back settled somewhere," he added. "We want to establish a new home. Mental health's a very big subject at the minute and there are lot of kids that will be a lot better off being back [in a gym]."

 

Chantelle Cameron

Chantelle’s After All The Belts

Posted on by Dominic McGuinness 
Chantelle Cameron believes her WBC super-lightweight world title fight with Adrian Dos Santos Araujo is the start of her dominance in the ring.
The Maverick Stars ambassador has already won the IBO version of the world title, but this fight represents a significant step up both in terms of opposition and belts on the line.  Chantelle said: "It would mean the world to me to be able to call myself a world champion.
"Obviously I won my IBO belt in my fifth fight but the WBC is a major world title so it's going to be a dream come true. Fingers crossed I win this WBC world title and then I want to go for all the other belts; the WBA, WBO and IBF."
Despite this being Dos Santos' first fight outside of her native Brazil, Cameron knows plenty about her upcoming opponent.
"I can remember Adriana Dos Santos from the amateurs when we were on the same circuit," Chantelle said. "I can remember watching her and thinking she was tough, she's beat some top amateur names so I know that she's well schooled and got that amateur pedigree as well."
There is no doubt in the Northampton fighter's camp that this is going to be her toughest test to date, and they have been preparing diligently for the task ahead.
"I'm expecting a tough ten rounder," Chantelle explained. "Dos Santos is there to be hit and she can take a shot so I imagine she's gonna be there for the full ten rounds, and she's going to try and stick it on my chest and be in my face."
With the pandemic sweeping the globe, it's been a difficult time for everybody, in and out of the boxing ring. For Chantelle though, it could still be one to remember, and for all the right reasons.
"If I get to call myself a world champion on October 4, then it's going to be the best part of the year for me, that's for sure!

Leading the Way

Posted on by Dominic McGuinness

Leading the Way

Maverick Stars ambassadors Danny Wright and Aqib Fiaz have launched a new coaching initiative aimed at getting Salford kids fighting fit.

The initiative - based at Peel Park, Little Hulton and delivered in partnership with Salford CVS - is encouraging children aged 8+ to attend two free boxing sessions each week. Leading the way is former professional boxer Danny and current super-featherweight prospect Aqib.

Along with working with Maverick Stars, Danny also works for top promoter Steve Wood in his ViP boxing equipment business, while Aqib is preparing for his rescheduled fight with Kane Baker.

 

Helping the Next Generation

Posted on by Dominic McGuinness

Helping the Next Generation

Chantelle Cameron has the small matter of a world title fight to prepare for, but she's still finding time to help a star of the future. Ten-year-old Leah Paylor travelled from her Dorset home to meet her fighting hero in Salford.

Maverick Stars ambassador Chantelle is now mentoring Leah - a champion herself after winning gold at a pre-lockdown tournament in Sweden. The pair hooked up at the ViP Gym with Chantelle putting Leah through her paces.

Meanwhile, Chantelle is set to fight Adriana Araujo for the vacant WBC belt after beating  Anahi Ester Sanchez last time out in November.

Brazilian Araujo is a 2012 Olympic bronze medallist and is sure to be the toughest test of Chantelle's professional career to date.

Click below to watch the full video.....

Derry’s Fit and Fed

Posted on by Dominic McGuinness

Derry's Fit and Fed

A Maverick Stars Fit and Fed programme has been an overwhelming success in Liverpool. Based at Derry Mathew's gym, the initiative proved so popular that extra sessions had to be scheduled.

The scheme was launched to ensure young people received a nourishing meal each day combined with social-distanced training throughout the summer. Many who initially turned up at the gym just to get fed, have since been bitten by the boxing bug and are now attending regular sessions.

It's a busy time for Derry who's combining his duties as an amateur coach, with helping Jazza Dickens prepare for the biggest fight of his life against Ryan Walsh.

To watch the full interview, click below.