Champ Backs ‘Fit for Life’

Champ Backs 'Fit for Life'

World champion Paul Butler is backing a Maverick Stars initiative to help over 55's get in the gym and get 'Fit for Life'.

Boxing training is recommended by GP's as a way of battling stress, anxiety and the aches and pains that come with age. Wirral CP Boxing club in Ellesmere Port is partnering with Maverick to provide free sessions every Tuesday.

Butler - a two-time world champ - started boxing at Wirral CP aged just eight, and is still a very familiar sight at the club. When he's not training for title fights, the bantamweight boss coaches at the club and is fully behind its latest project (click video below).

'Fit for Life' details: Each Tuesday, 3pm Wirral CP Boxing club, 55 Station Road, Ellesmere Port, CH66 1NY Contact Peter: 07971 476605

DJ Gold – on Track for Paris

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.

Big Success for Defib Campaign

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

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

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

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

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

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.

 

 

DJ’s Commonwealth Countdown

DJ's Commonwealth Countdown

After recently returning with a gold medal while representing GB Boxing in Spain, Delicious Orie is now focussing on repeating the feat at the forthcoming Commonwealth Games.

The Maverick Stars ambassador was victorious at the BoxAm tournament, although in slightly fortuitous circumstances. After a fine performance in the semi-final against Spain's Fermin Berrentxea, 'DJ' was awarded gold via walkover after his fellow finalist, Spaniard Ayoub Ghadfa, withdrew from the competition.

Now an established member of the GB set-up, DJ is gunning for the big medals in the super-heavyweight division - starting with a Games very close to home.

Clubs Set for Defibs

Clubs Set for Defibs

Boxing clubs throughout the country have been awarded a vital defibrillator as part of the Maverick Stars 'Keep the Beat' campaign.

April, Shay and Savannah

The initiative aims to promote CPR techniques along with donating fifty defibs to amateur gyms. Headed up by Maverick ambassador April Hunter - who lost her cousin and best friend Paul Gardner to cardiac arrest in 2018 - the project is being run in conjunction with the charity set up in Paul's name, PGCPR.

The campaign also has the full support of April’s friend, world champion middleweight Savannah Marshall and Newcastle and Ireland goalkeeping legend Shay Given.

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.                                             

Maverick Stars has provided the defibrillators to amateur boxing clubs most in need. It will help meet the requirement that every England Boxing member club will need to have access to and know how to use a lifesaving defib by 1st June 2022.

England Boxing Head of Community Development, Avoen Perryman, said: "For the fifty boxing clubs that the team at Maverick Stars Trust have selected to support with this amazingly generous offer, I just want to say congratulations and well done. It is great to see that your clubs will now have this key piece of equipment installed.

"To the remaining clubs who didn't make Maverick's final fifty, your regional Club Support Officers are on-hand to support and advise with securing a defibrillator in time for the June 1st deadline. There is also a new support page and guidance information available on our website.

"So often in our wonderful sport, we hear people say that 'boxing saved my life', and whilst that is true for so many, this vital piece of equipment at fifty new boxing clubs across the country could quite literally save lives for years to come.

"Thank you to Charlotte, and all the staff, volunteers and clubs that are part of the Maverick Stars Trust family. I know your efforts are greatly appreciated by EB's clubs."