Unsung Hero – Joe Pennington

Posted on by Dominic McGuinness

Unsung Hero - Joe Pennington

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 turn our attention to Joe Pennington, head coach at Northside ABC in Manchester. The club is one of the busiest and most prolific boxing gyms in the north west, churning out dozens of national amateur champions and top professionals, all under Joe's watchful eye.

Nominating Joe, Maverick Stars ambassador Anthony Crolla said: "Northside is a fantastic gym that's creating so many talented fighters. Joe goes under the radar a bit, but his work is well know within boxing. He's typical of coaches that put in so much of their time to helps kids develop not just as boxers, but as people. He's made his mark on hundreds of people in Manchester and beyond.

"He's also a very familiar face on the pro scene - he's in the corner for all kinds of fighters, not just prospects. He's on the road all the time, often looking after journeymen, helping them make a good living. He's a great man."

Pic credit: BBTV

Nominate your boxing unsung hero via the contact page at:

www.maverickstars.co.uk

Or message us via:

 @maverickstars1                     maverickstarstrust

Chantelle’s off to Vegas

Posted on by Luke Madeira

Chantelle's off to Vegas

Most fighters can only dream of fighting in Las Vegas, but for Maverick Stars ambassador Chantelle Cameron it has become reality.

Trained by fellow ambassador Jamie Moore, Cameron will defend her WBC super-lightweight world title against mandatory challenger Melissa Hernandez.

The fight is chief support to a fight of the year contender - Devin Haney defending his WBC world lightweight crown against Jorge Linares.

This is the third weight former champion Hernandez will fight for world honours, having previously held the WBC featherweight title in 2012 and challenging for the lightweight equivalent.

Changing Lives in Liverpool

Posted on by Dominic McGuinness

Changing Lives in Liverpool

Derry Mathews has linked up with a homeless charity in Liverpool to provide free boxing sessions for young people. The project has proved so successful, five of the new recruits are looking to compete in the amateur ranks.

The former WBU champion, working in partnership with Maverick Stars, has joined forces with the AIMS project - a charity which helps 18 - 24 year olds who are not in education, employment or training - access specialised accommodation.

The Marybone gym, on the edge of Liverpool city centre, is running other initiatives alongside the homeless project, including helping armed forces veterans and families of addiction. Along with the community work, Derry is also busy helping Jazza Dickens prepare for his forthcoming world title fight against Kid Galahad.

All COVID protocols were adhered to at the time of filming.

Unsung Hero – Adrian Fleming

Posted on by Dominic McGuinness

Unsung Hero – Adrian Fleming

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 turn our attention to Adrian Fleming, head coach at Leigh ABC in Greater Manchester. The club continues to be a great success, working with thousands of young people of all abilities, from novice to elite.

Leigh ABC boasts more than 80 ABA titlists along with countless internationals and those that have gone on to careers in the professional ranks including Isaac Lowe, Marcus Morrison and Jack Catterall.

The club also works tirelessly in the community to encourage young people to get off the streets and into a safe and healthy environment.

Nominating Adrian, Timperley ABC head coach Mark Davidson said: “He’s been in the coaching game for decades, he’s had numerous champions and has done so much. He’s helped so many kids - boys and girls.

“He’s turned so many lives around and is a great coach. Adrian is certainly an unsung hero.”

Along with his club commitments, Adrian is highly regarded on the international scene and is part of the England coaching set-up.

 

Nominate your boxing unsung hero via the contact page at:

www.maverickstars.co.uk

Or message us via:

 @maverickstars1                     maverickstarstrust

Gyms Finally Reopen Their Doors in England

Posted on by Luke Madeira

Gyms Finally Reopen Their Doors in England

After an extended period of closure due to the CoronaVirus pandemic, boxing gyms up and down the country were finally able to reopen last week.

Derry Mathews Boxing Academy, Timperley ABC, Wimborne ABC, Pat Benson's Boxing Academy and Paramount ABC are all gyms that work in partnership with Maverick Stars Trust, and the opening of their doors means lives can once again be changed for the better.

Unsung Hero – Sean Rafferty

Posted on by Dominic McGuinness

Unsung Hero - Sean Rafferty

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 celebrate the work of Sean Rafferty, nominated by his former fighter and now fellow coach, Steve Maylett. It was at Ancoats Lads Boxing Club, under the guidance of Sean that Steve learned to box, his mentor's methods sank in.  Steve has gone on to carve out a top career as both an amateur and professional coach, training hundreds of local children and stars including former world champion Terry Flanagan, Sam Maxwell, Liam Taylor and Zak Miller.

"I think he was the best of his generation in teaching you footwork. I built from there upwards," said Steve. "A lot of the fundamentals came from what Sean taught me. He's given his life to boxing. Not a lot of people know him, he doesn't do social media. He's always stayed self-efficient and he's an unsung hero for this part of Manchester. I know people who come to the boxing gym, they've not boxed for 15 years, but they still come and train. He's changed hundreds of lives."

 

Nominate your boxing unsung hero via the contact page at:

www.maverickstars.co.uk

Or message us via:

@maverickstars1          maverickstarstrust

All You Need Is Love……..Boxing Club

Posted on by Dominic McGuinness

Like most boxing gyms throughout the land, Love ABA Police Boxing Club in Lancashire has once again opened its doors – with a helping hand from Maverick Stars Trust.

The gym, in Rawtenstall, under the guidance of Paddy Connellan, has benefited from the charity’s ‘subs for clubs’ initiative. All members can train for free for the first month post-lockdown. The project is aimed at giving the club a much-needed boost and supporting the boxers’ families, many of whom have struggled during the pandemic.

Maverick Stars has also secured funding for the club with help from MP for Rossendale and Darwen Jake Berry and councillor David Foxcroft.  This funding will ensure Love ABA continues its excellent community work.

The Finest Gym in Manchester

Posted on by Dominic McGuinness

The Finest Gym in Manchester

The Finest Gym in Manchester is joining forces with Maverick Stars Trust to deliver initiatives to get young people moving again. But while it's good news for now, the club needs to find a new long-term home as the area is set for regeneration.

Steve Maylett, The Finest ABC

The doors to the Ancoats gym have been closed throughout lockdown, with only elite professional boxers allowed to train. Along with serving its immediate area, the gym is a safe hub for young people from the surrounding districts of Miles Platting, Collyhurst, Newton Heath and beyond.

Head coach Steve Maylett outlined plans for the new alliance: "I used to work with young people who'd been excluded from schools. That was my background, working with Manchester College for 12 years. That's always been my passion. Charlotte [Maverick Stars founder] asked if I'd like to set up some sessions. We're going to start running one project a week."

One initiative will be the hugely successful 'Sting Like a Bee' which has been rolled out in gyms throughout Greater Manchester, Merseyside, the north east and the south coast.

In the meantime, The Finest Gym in Manchester will continue its outstanding work in the community. Steve and the team are hoping to stay in their home for as long as possible, although they know the small industrial unit where they're based has been sold to property developers.

 

International Success for ‘Girls in Gloves’ Campaign

Posted on by Luke Madeira

International Success for 'Girls in Gloves' Campaign

Since launching its 'Girls in Gloves' programme nearly two years ago, Wimborne ABC have already had success on the international stage.

The 'Girls in Gloves' initiative, which aims to help tackle mental health problems and raise female participation levels in boxing, is proving hugely successful and has resulted in several girls competing in the sport.

Kiki Hickson (pictured), 11, initially took up the sport to channel her anger and frustration in a positive way, but the sport has become an even bigger part of her life than she could have ever expected. 

She travelled to Sweden to compete in the Golden Girls tournament last year, and returned home with a gold medal.

The aim now for Kiki is to push on and join England Boxing's elite pathway.

Wimborne Boxing Club's coach and Maverick Stars Trust ambassador Dave Rimmer said "The biggest win for me hasn't been in the ring, it's been watching her grow into a brilliant kid who throughly enjoys her boxing and is a massive part of the Wimborne Boxing family."

Jazza Gives Back at Easter

Posted on by Luke Madeira

Jazza Gives Back at Easter

Ahead of his upcoming world title fight, Jazza Dickens has been collecting Easter Eggs for children in Liverpool.

He is set to challenge Kid Galahad for the Sheffield fighter's IBF featherweight crown in 2021, but has still found time to help those in need.

Working with Maverick Stars Trust, Jazza will soon be launching an initiative to encourage families of addiction to sit down and talk.

The ‘Jazza in the CommUNITY’ programme will be based at the Derry Mathews Boxing Academy on the edge of Liverpool city centre. Families will be encouraged to attend the free sessions, aimed at providing exactly the kind of support Jazza longed for when he was a child.