DJ Joins Commonwealth Games Collective

Posted on by Luke Madeira

DJ Joins Commonwealth Games Collective

Delicious Orie has joined the team tasked with encouraging members of the public to volunteer at Birmingham's Commonwealth Games in 2022.

The Maverick Stars Ambassador took part in the media launch of the 'Join the Collective' campaign, aimed at recruiting 13,000 people to help out at the games.

"It was good to be a part of it all," said DJ. "I enjoyed being in the mix with the guys who put the games together behind the scenes".

A member of Team GB's boxing programme, Delicious has ambitions of his own to compete at the games.

 

Super Stoppage for Chantelle

Posted on by Dominic McGuinness

Super Stoppage for Chantelle

Congratulations to Chantelle Cameron who defended her WBC super-lightweight title against Melissa Hernandez in Las Vegas.

The Maverick Stars ambassador was too much for her Puerto Rican opponent, with the referee waving the fight off in the fifth round. The fight was on the undercard of Devin Haney's battle with Jorge Linares - the former winning on points.

 

Unsung Hero – Asam Fiaz

Posted on by Luke Madeira

Unsung Hero - Asam Fiaz

Each Friday we pay homage to a boxing ‘unsung hero’. The lifeblood of the sport - the men and women who have contributed so much and asked for so little, who have saved lives and transformed futures.

This week it's the turn of Asam Fiaz, who helps to coach world level fighters alongside Jamie Moore and Nigel Travis whilst maintaining his amateur boxing commitments with NTX Gen ABC.

His brother, Aqib Fiaz, is one of the top talents British boxing has to offer, and he owes a lot of that to the work done with Asam.

"For me, Asam's probably one of the most selfless people I know," Aqib said. "I can't even explain how much he has helped me, but along the way he's helped so many amateur boxers."

"He doesn't do it for money or anything like that, he does it because he loves the game."

Im Hamza is an amateur boxer at NTX Gen ABC, and he heaped praise of his head coach.

"I took five years out of boxing and with Asam's help I built my confidence up to return and reach the national finals in my first year back," he said.

"He doesn't get the credit he deserves, and I would like to say thank you to him for believing in me."

 

Back in Business

Posted on by Dominic McGuinness

The Finest Gym in Manchester is getting busy again with two of its professional boxers in action  this weekend. Zak Miller and Ciaran McVarnock are both fighting in Sheffield on a Fight Academy promotion featured on Fightzone tv - a new app showcasing emerging Uk talent.

Both men are trained by Steve Maylett - head coach at the club that recently joined forces with Maverick Stars Trust to deliver a series of initiatives aimed at inspiring young people in the Ancoats area.

Ciaran faces tough journeyman Jamie Quinn, while Zak takes on debutant Jahfibus Faure from Hull. It's been a frustrating time for all fighters, and Zak can't wait to get back out under the lights.

"I turned pro with Steve about two years ago after my amateur career," Zak said. "I've had three fights and would have more but for the COVID, but it is what it is. I've signed a deal with [promoter] Dennis Hobson, so I should be having a busy year."

Along with the pro fighters getting back in action, it's been a hectic time at the gym since lockdown restrictions were eased. Steve's been delighted to once again open the doors to the local community - amateur boxers along with any young people from the area who need a safe haven to train and socialise.

Golden Time for Tudsbury

Posted on by Dominic McGuinness

Golden Time For Tudsbury

Amateur boxing star Conner Tudsbury capped his first international tournament by claiming gold in Lithuania.

The Maverick Stars ambassador beat Rick De Noojer of the Netherlands by unanimous decision to top the podium at the Socikas Tournament. In the earlier rounds, the light-heavyweight from Manchester beat France’s Raphael Monny and Hungarian Pal Kovacs.

“It feels awesome!” Conner said. “It’s my first international tournament and all I wanted, basically, was to show what I’ve got. I enjoyed it. I felt comfortable with the team. The food was nice! Everything was all good, the set-up was really good.”

Eight boxers secured a medal, with Rosie Eccles, Kiaran MacDonald, Calum French and Scott Forrest also claiming gold.

“The rest of the team were very supportive. It gave me an extra boost, extra motivation to do my best,” Conner added.

 

Unsung Hero – Oliver Harrison

Posted on by Dominic McGuinness

Unsung Hero - Oliver Harrison

Each Friday we pay homage to a boxing ‘unsung hero’. The lifeblood of the sport - the men and women who have contributed so much and asked for so little, who have saved lives and transformed futures.

This week we pay tribute to Oliver Harrison - trainer of champions, but more importantly a pillar of the Salford community and a mentor and friend to so many. Aged just 58, Oliver died after battling cancer in 2019.

Oliver guided the early part of Amir Khan's stellar professional career and enjoyed huge success with fighters including Maverick Stars ambassadors Jamie Moore and Derry Mathews, Anthony Farnell, Martin Murray, and Rocky Fielding.

Jamie said: "He made my career. If it wasn't for me coming across Oliver Harrison in my life, there's no way I would've gone on to achieve what I achieved, mainly because he believed in me when nobody else did."

"He was just an amazing person. He always shied away from the limelight; he didn't want it. It was all about the fighters," Martin added.

Nominate your boxing unsung hero via the contact page at:

www.maverickstars.co.uk

Or message us via:

 @maverickstars1                     maverickstarstrust

Brad ‘The Sting’ Rea

Posted on by Dominic McGuinness

Brad 'The Sting' Rea

Maverick Stars Trust is delighted to welcome one of the UK’s top boxing prospects to its list of Ambassadors. Unbeaten middleweight, Brad Rea, has joined forces with the charity to help coach and mentor young people struggling in mainstream education.

The 23year old from Stretford, trained by Blain Younis at Ricky Hatton’s gym in Hyde, has so far amassed an outstanding record of ten fights, ten wins with four stoppages. The St John’s ABC amateur has appeared on Matchroom cards, catching the eye on Sky Sports in his last fight, a one-round demolition of fellow unbeaten fighter Lee Cutler.

Speaking of his new alliance with Maverick Stars, Brad said: "I really enjoy the coaching side of boxing," he said. "I basically grew up in a boxing gym and I know all about the benefits of the sport and how it can help young people stay on the right path.

“Maverick Stars is doing amazing work throughout boxing and I’m delighted to get on board.”

Unsung Hero – Dom Hodnett

Posted on by Dominic McGuinness

Unsung Hero - Dom Hodnett

Each Friday we pay homage to a boxing ‘unsung hero’. The lifeblood of the sport - the men and women who have contributed so much and asked for so little, who have saved lives and transformed futures.

                                                      Martin Murray

Nominated by multiple champion and former world title challenger Martin Murray, this week we turn our attention to Dom Hodnett, head coach at Wildcard ABC in St Helens. The club is the heartbeat of the community and like just every boxing club throughout the land, Dom and his coaches work tirelessly to help young people learn to box, but more importantly, to stay on the right track.

"He set his first gym up in a youth centre and he only had a tiny little hole that he could use on a night," Martin said. "He had to set the ring  up every night, set the bags up every night and then take it all down because it [the room] was used for something else. He did that every night.

"He started making a real difference to the community, making such an impact they moved him down the road, but it was still a small space. Again, there were that many kids coming through his doors, changing peoples lives in a rough area, he was moved again and he's got a cracking space now. He's in there every hour God sends. He gives a lot and it's just to basically help people. It's selfless what he does.

"I've been there. A boxing gym saved my life. I've been in jail four times - I've been down that wrong path. I managed to sort my head out. Obviously I wanted to change, but the place that sorted me out was a boxing gym."

Pic credit: BBTV

Nominate your boxing unsung hero via the contact page at:

www.maverickstars.co.uk

Or message us via:

 @maverickstars1                     maverickstarstrust

Trading Blows

Posted on by Dominic McGuinness

Trading Blows

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.

 

Walkden ABC Finally Open

Posted on by Dominic McGuinness

Walkden ABC Finally Open

It's been a long road with plenty of potholes and a pandemic to deal with, but Salford's newest boxing club is finally open for business.

Maverick Stars Trust founder Charlotte Gilley, Danny Wright and Jamie Moore

Walkden ABC, in partnership with Maverick Stars Trust and located at Walkden town centre, has been a hive of activity since COVID restrictions were eased. Salford Youth services have been bringing young people to the gym to try out boxing taster sessions, under the guidance of former professional fighter-turned-coach Danny Wright.

In the evenings, the amateur boxing club has opened up to the local community with sessions at full capacity. Head coach Chris Ogden said: "This is a really good facility for the area. It'll bring back a bit of community boxing that me and Jamie [Moore] enjoyed twenty odd years ago. Walkden's not had that since. Everyone's talking about it. There's a big buzz about it."

It's all a dream come true for former British and European champion Jamie, who's been working with Maverick Stars for more than two years to get the project off the ground.

"Just knowing the impact a boxing gym has on somebody's life, you never see the true success stories," Jamie said. "The discipline it teaches, the self-awareness, work ethic and mentality. These kids are going to carry that through with them for the rest of their lives in whatever area they decide to go down.

"It just makes me proud that we can makes that little change and help somebody in their life in a little way."