Campaign Success – More to Come!

Posted on by Dominic McGuinness

Campaign Success - More to Come!

Maverick Stars Trust will continue to deliver ground-breaking initiatives following the huge success of the recent defibrillator campaign.

The charity supplied 50 defibs for 50 boxing clubs nationwide as part of its ‘Keep the Beat – Maverick’s Restart a Heart’ campaign. The defibrillators - each club is required by England Boxing to have one - were provided to clubs most in need.

The campaign also raised awareness of CPR techniques and was headed up by Maverick ambassador and boxing prospect April Hunter, who lost her cousin and best friend Paul Gardner in 2018 (PGCPR).

Sudden cardiac arrest in young people – including high-profile athletes – has increasingly been making headlines in recent years. Each year in the UK there are more than 30,000 ‘out-of-hospital’ cardiac arrests. The survival rate is less than one in ten. In some cases, performing CPR can more than double the chances of survival.

 

Backing His Friend and Mentor

Posted on by Dominic McGuinness

Backing His Friend and Mentor

Commonwealth Games champion Delicious Orie is backing his friend Anthony Joshua to upset the odds and reclaim his heavyweight titles when he faces Oleksandr Usyk in Saudi Arabia.

DJ and AJ sparred countless rounds in Sheffield when both were training at GB Boxing - the Maverick Stars ambassador then an emerging talent, while Joshua had already conquered the heavyweight division as a pro, but continued to train under the guidance of Rob McCracken.

“I’m confident and I really hope he does it," DJ said. "Anthony Joshua has the tools to beat Usyk. He’s a natural heavyweight, the longer arms, the bigger guy. He needs to turn up the aggression. I know Usyk’s got a little bit bigger for this fight, so it’ll be interesting to see what happens, but if the right AJ turns up against Usyk, he can beat him."

DJ Gold – on Track for Paris

Posted on by Dominic McGuinness

DJ Gold - on Track for Paris

It's been a hectic time for Delicious Orie since clinching super-heavyweight gold at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.

The Maverick Stars ambassador has been the centre of attention since his eye-catching performance on Sunday night, coming from behind to beat India's Sagar Sagar at the NEC Arena. It's been an incredible rise for 'DJ' who only began boxing six years ago.

Now, all roads lead to Paris 2024 and a chance to emulate his friend and inspiration Anthony Joshua.

Click below to hear from the man of the moment.

Speaking Up for Ricky

Posted on by Dominic McGuinness

A men's mental health initiative set up in memory of a Bolton boxing coach has proved a huge success.

Based at the Elite Boxing Gym in Halliwell, 'Ricky's Club' was launched with support from Maverick Stars Trust in December 2021. Named after Ricky Fletcher, who committed suicide after battling mental health issues, the project is the brainchild of head coach Alex Matvienko.

"He [Ricky] was a boxing coach here and an ex-addict. We rehabilitated him, he dropped a lot of weight and turned his life around. He did his ABA course and so on, but then he just sort of lost his way a bit, felt a bit lost and took his own life about nine years ago.”

“This [Ricky’s Club] was always an idea I had, but I didn’t have the team or the facilities to put it on. I’ve always been passionate about it, but come nine years later Charlotte from Maverick said, ‘let’s do it.’ We started this pilot last December and it’s been pretty incredible really.”

The free sessions encourage men from all walks of life to chat about any issues that may be affecting them. Whether struggling with addiction, depression or without any apparent issues, all are welcome to attend the group.

Ricky's Club is held at Elite Boxing, Wordsworth Mill, Wordsworth Street, Bolton. Sessions take place every other Tuesday at 7.30pm.

For more information: www.eliteboxing.co.uk     @eliteboxer    01204 493 563

Big Success for Defib Campaign

Posted on by Dominic McGuinness

Big Success for Defib Campaign

The Maverick Stars campaign to provide 50 defibrillators for 50 boxing clubs has proved to be a huge success.

The nationwide ‘Keep the Beat – Maverick’s Restart a Heart’ initiative has now ended with successful applicants - clubs most in need - now fitted with a vital defib. Along with providing the necessary kit, the campaign raised awareness of CPR techniques and was headed up by Maverick ambassador April Hunter who lost her cousin and best friend Paul Gardner in 2018 (PGCPR).

Sudden cardiac arrest in young people – including high-profile athletes – has increasingly been making headlines in recent years. Each year in the UK there are more than 30,000 ‘out-of-hospital’ cardiac arrests. The survival rate is less than one in ten. In some cases, performing CPR can more than double the chances of survival.

It is now a requirement that every England Boxing amateur club has to have access to and know how to use a defib.  

Whilst the ‘Keep the Beat’ campaign has now come to its conclusion, Maverick Stars Trust will continue to lead the way with campaigns, projects and initiatives that will help support communities through boxing. Watch this space!!

Defib for Jennings Gym

Posted on by Dominic McGuinness

Defib for Jennings Gym

Jennings Gym in Lancashire is the latest of 50 boxing clubs to be awarded with a defibrillator as part of Maverick Stars Trust's 'Keep the Beat' campaign.

The nationwide initiative is supporting clubs that may otherwise struggle to buy the vital piece of equipment. England Boxing insists all clubs must have a defib in place by June of this year. Sudden cardiac arrest in young people – including high-profile athletes – has increasingly been making headlines in recent years. Each year in the UK there are more than 30,000 ‘out-of-hospital’ cardiac arrests.

Dave Jennings and former world title challenger Michael Jennings, oversee a bustling gym in Chorley full of talented amateur and professional fighters. A series of community initiatives are also delivered at the club including training and education for children at risk of exclusion from school, and sessions for people in recovery from addictions.

Rally Warrior’s Boxing Clever

Posted on by Dominic McGuinness

Rally Warrior's Boxing Clever

He is already one of the world's fastest men - on four wheels - but with a little help from his boxing friends, Chris Ingram is set to reach his ultimate goal.

The Maverick Stars ambassador became the first British rally driver in 52 years to become European champion, but he has set his sights on the biggest prize, being World number one.

The 27year-old  from Manchester has now hooked up with friend of Maverick Stars and former world champion Scott Quigg, to utilise boxing's physical and mental attributes.

Coaching the Next Gen – Crolla & Quigg

Posted on by Dominic McGuinness

Coaching the Next Gen - Crolla & Quigg

Former world champions Anthony Crolla and Scott Quigg are both relishing life helping to guide the next generation of boxing stars.

The pair have remained stablemates after hanging up the gloves by coaching fighters alongside their former trainer Joe Gallagher in Bolton. Both are big supporters of Maverick Stars - Crolla overseas the 'Operation Warrior' initiative at his amateur club Fox ABC - and are relishing life outside of the ropes.

Click below to hear about life as former fighters, coaching, and why the former sparring partners cannot stop competing.

Veteran Success

Posted on by Dominic McGuinness

Veteran Success

A Maverick Stars programme aimed at supporting armed forces veterans has grown from strength to strength, with hundreds now taking part at boxing clubs across the nation.

Delicious Orie at South Wye

‘Operation Warrior’ has proved an outstanding success. The eight-week courses feature boxing sessions, team building days, guest speakers and mental health first aid. Following an inaugural project in partnership with Tom Harrison House and Derry’s Gym in Liverpool, the programme is now being delivered throughout the north-west, north-east, the midlands and the south-east. Plans are in place to extend the scheme further.

Operation Warrior was set up to support ex-servicemen and women who encounter mental and physical health problems upon leaving the forces. Boxing has a positive effect on confidence, motivation, and stress levels. The initiative is the brainchild of armed forces veteran and head of Maverick’s veterans’ programmes, Tony Gilley.

“Many vets encounter problems when they leave the forces,” Tony said. “There can be problems with addiction, isolation, and poor physical and mental health. Our work is based at boxing clubs and the courses help raise self-esteem through improved fitness and other opportunities.”

The programme at South Wye Police Boxing Academy in Hereford has proved extremely successful. Maverick Stars ambassador and GB boxer Delicious Orie has been a regular at the sessions – when training commitments allow. The talented super-heavyweight is tipped for big things at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham this summer, and the Paris Olympics in 2024.

Initiatives are also in place at Willaston ABC, Birkenhead, North Mersey ABC, Liverpool, Elite Boxing, Bolton, North Star ABC, Sunderland, Fox ABC in Oldham, Amir Unsworth Boxing Academy, Lincolnshire, and West London ABC.

Other boxing gyms have partnered with local football clubs to widen their community reach. Examples include Hamer ABC and Rochdale AFC, 5-Ways Boxing Club and Burnley FC in the Community, Derry’s Gym and Liverpool FC Foundation, Penwortham ABC and Preston North End and Curzon Ashton FC and Magic Hatton Boxing and Fitness.

DJ Breaks Down the Big Fight

Posted on by Dominic McGuinness

DJ Breaks Down the Big Fight

Tyson Fury and Dillian Whyte will finally do battle at Wembley Stadium this weekend with record numbers in attendance and millions watching around the world. To get an insight as to how this fight might pan out, we spoke to rising heavyweight star Delicious Orie. 

The Maverick Stars ambassador was recently victorious at the BoxAm tournament in Spain and continues to impress in the amateur ranks with GB Boxing.

Casting his eye over Fury’s defence of his WBC title, ‘DJ’ said: “I think it’s a great fight for British fans and British boxing. I’m a fan of both Tyson Fury and Dillian Whyte.

“In terms of the outcome? I think Tyson wins, but to be honest it’s hard to predict – it’s heavyweight boxing. It could be a knockout, it could be an early stoppage, Tyson Fury could make it boring. But Tyson Fury is a little bit smarter and a lot more awkward for Dillian Whyte to handle.”

Along with continuing his stellar progress on the international amateur stage, DJ is still helping to provide opportunities for others. Along with his friend and GB teammate Conner Tudsbury, DJ spent his Easter holidays helping young amateur fighters to train like a GB boxer.

The initiative at Moss Side Fire Station Boxing Club - supported by Maverick Stars Trust – was a big success with the two elite fighters giving nutrition advice, tips on strength and conditioning and boxing technique masterclasses.