Despite challenging circumstances, Wimborne ABC have managed to successfully launch their 'Athlete Academy'.

Working in Partnership with Maverick Stars Trust and LeAF Studio School, head coach Dave Rimmer has created a unique boxing programme for fighters in school years 9-13.

The initiative gives participants not only expert guidance in boxing, but also the training needed to one day become coaches themselves.

The students have sessions at Wimborne ABC factored into their curriculum (Tuesday 2-4 and Friday 2-4), allowing them to get vital extra tutelage throughout the week.

*These videos were filmed before the latest Coronavirus restrictions.*

Maverick Stars Trust has added another big hitter to its roster of ambassadors in the shape of top amateur Delicious Orie.

The 23 year old, 6ft 6ins super-heavyweight is part of the GB Boxing set-up and has his sights set on glory - just like Anthony Joshua. The pair have led a similar path in coming to the sport late, and both share a steely determination to achieve their goals.

Born in Moscow to a Russian mother and Nigerian father, 'DJ' and his family moved to Wolverhampton when he was seven. After excelling in various sports, he started boxing while studying at university in Birmingham and learned his trade under coach Mick Maguire at the Jewellery Quarter Boxing Club.

DJ joins fellow GB star Conner Tudsbury in becoming a Maverick Stars ambassador. Like Conner, he's committed to working on Maverick's initiatives - mentoring and coaching the next generation.

"I really enjoy training with the kids," he said. "Getting them moving and motivated to train and making them see it's possible to achieve big things. It's all possible.

"It was difficult initially, coming over from Russia to a completely different environment. But, growing up, at the back of my mind I knew there were a lot of opportunities in England and you just have to work for whatever it is you want to achieve.

"That's something that I want to push to the younger generation. If I was able to do it - someone who didn't learn to speak English until he was eight, who graduated from university and has been able to get on Team GB - then with consistency and hard work anything is possible."

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."

Jamie Moore believes a win tonight can set Chantelle Cameron up to create a legacy in women’s boxing, similar to the one Katie Taylor has made for herself.

Cameron fights Adriana Dos Santos Araujo for the vacant WBC world super lightweight title later on today, live on Sky Sports.

“Chantelle’s been in a position over the last twelve months where she’s a lot of risk and not a lot of reward for people to fight her,” Jamie said. “When she wins a world title, she puts herself in the frame as a potential opponent for Katie [Taylor].”

“It does open a lot of doors for her but to be honest with you, I don’t think Chantelle needs Katie Taylor,” he said. “I think Sunday will be a coming out party, a lot of people will stand up and take notice of her and then she’ll set her own path.”

Jamie then quickly added: “I think in time she’ll set her own legacy and people will look at Chantelle in two or three years time in the same light as Katie Taylor.”

Because of Coronavirus protocols there will be no fans in the arena, but that is of little concern to Team Cameron.

“It is a shame but in years to come it won’t matter,” he said. “It’ll always be down on paper in the record books that Chantelle was WBC world champion and I’m sure she’ll be able to have a homecoming fight when crowds can come back in, and we can celebrate her becoming a world champion and fill an arena in Northampton.”

Elsewhere on the bill tonight, another of Jamie’s fighters Aqib Fiaz takes a big step up.

“He’s boxing Kane Baker,” Jamie said. “that’s a little bit of a grudge match because of what happened last time.”

During midweek, Steven Ward (again trained by Jamie) stepped up to cruiserweight and won convincingly.

“Steven has always fundamentally been really good, nice solid base, great feet, good mobility for a big guy and a good jab,” Moore said. “When he sticks to what he does well instead of getting dragged into a fight he’s such a difficult fighter to beat.”

He added: “It’s definitely the right division for him and I think he’s going to be involved in some good fights over the next twelve months.”

The Maverick Stars ambassador spoke to Dom McGuinness from his hotel room as he prepares for ‘The Quiet Man’ to return to the ring this evening after his first round defeat to Ricards Bolotniks last time out.

“It’s a really good opportunity for Stevie to fight a decent opponent, someone who is not going to come and tie up, run away and survive,” he said. “He’s got a guy in front of him who’s coming to win.”

“Volau will believe Stevie is fragile because of his last loss. That fight in my eyes was all about the scales and not actually thinking about the opponent,” Nigel added.

“Now Stevie looks comfortable. He didn’t have to train to do the weight, he’s now training thinking about the boxing. He looked ill and now he doesn’t, he looks fantastic.”

Having been in isolation since Monday, Nigel described the new normal for professional fighters and their team.

“It’s strange being in a bubble and being isolated, but it’s just a game we’ve got to play,” he said, before he went on to describe his room.

“I’ve got a window looking at a dual carriageway, I’ve got a mirror so I can look at myself all day, a tv, a bed, a bathroom and a Stevie Ward tracksuit!”

Tonights main event was scheduled to be between Jazza Dickens and Ryan Walsh, but the former has had to withdraw from the contest after testing positive for COVID-19.

“It’s a real shame because I was excited about it,” Nigel said. “I picked Jazza just because of what I’ve seen [in sparring]. It’s difficult to pick against Ryan though because he’ll always bring his A-game.”

Elsewhere on the bill, Ohara Davies and Tyrone McKenna get the chance to settle their long standing feud, whilst Liam Conroy looks to overcome Serge Michel to reach the light-heavyweight ‘Golden Contact’ final.

“I think Ohara is rightly the favourite just because of his punch power and I believe Tyrone gets dragged in a little bit,” he said. “I think that if Tyrone can not get involved for the first three/four/five [rounds], it will be interesting.”

Talking about the fight between Conroy and Michel, the head coach of Moss Side Fire Station Boxing Club added: “When we got here, I believe Liam was the underdog and now he’s the betting favourite. I would edge Liam to win, although it seems Michel can fight, but you can’t gauge how good he is from his last performance.”

He finished by saying: “my betting double would be Ohara to win on points and Liam to win on points as well.”

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."