A unique initiative helping boxers with financial advice and employment opportunities has launched in Manchester.

Maverick Stars Trust has teamed up with FCI Markets – a leading financial services provider – to deliver a 12-session course, teaching fighters of all abilities about finance and trading. The company has a wealth of experience in the sector and already works in football, advising young professionals.

FCI chief executive and founder Steve Tyjas said: “There’s a very big synergy between trading and the life of a sportsman. You have to have that commitment to excel in any kind of sport and it’s the same with trading. You need to have that dedication.

“We want to try and show them there’s an opportunity, should they have a career ending injury or just coming to the end of their career, that there is something else that will see them well in the future.

“People think of the financial markets the wrong way. They think you need to have a university degree or be highly educated to do it. We’re trying to show that you don’t. I’m not the most educated guy out there – it’s just about having a bit of common sense, sticking to the rules, being disciplined, and committed. This is open to anyone and everyone.”

The course guides participants through the practicalities of trading, step by step, starting with the basics and working up to

“We start by showing them how to load a trading platform and what the numbers are that you see on that platform. We can grow it to the advanced, where you’re looking at all the analytics into the charting and the daily movement of each price, currency and stock,” Steve added.

Steve and his team are initially delivering the project at Collyhurst & Moston ABC, with plans to extend to other gyms. FCI plans to offer work experience placements with a view to full time employment for the right candidates.

He's preparing for the biggest night of his boxing career, but Jazza Dickens is still helping others less fortunate in his home city. The affable Liverpudlian takes on Ryan Walsh in the 'Golden Contract' final with the carrot of a lucrative two-year, five-fight deal up for grabs for the winner.

"It's life-changing," Jazza said with a grin. "More than life-changing! It'll put me in a position I've never been in before. It'll put my family in a position they've never been in before. All the sacrifices made - I'm doing it for them, as much as for me and for my community."

Community is a word Jazza mentions often, although his work helping others goes largely goes under the radar. He's currently working on an initiative with Maverick Stars to help families affected by addiction - a subject close to his heart owing to his father's drug addiction and subsequent recovery.

"We need to bring back our communities," Jazza said. "Like the work you're doing at Maverick [Stars], it's amazing work and I'd encourage anyone to try and pick their community up, to get involved because so many things come from it."

Jazza is currently sporting a 'Mo' as part of Movember and all donations will go to the Sisters of Mercy who feed and clothe the homeless in Liverpool city centre. If Jazza reaches his £5,000 target, the moustache will stay in place for the Walsh fight

Meanwhile, the likeable featherweight has been training meticulously for the fight of his life under the guidance of coaching team George Vaughan and Maverick Stars' very own Derry Mathews.  The 29 year-old faces a big challenge against Norfolk-based Walsh - a man he has great respect for - but he's convinced it will be his night under the lights when the pair meet at a tv studio in Wakefield.

"A lot of things make sense coming into this final - the amount of time it's took, the COVID situation. I feel like it's all fallen into place," Jazza added.

Help Jazza help the homeless - https://uk.gofundme.com/f/5000-and-the-muzzy-stays-for-the-fight