One of boxing's most exciting talents has linked up with Maverick Stars Trust, becoming the latest in a growing list of ambassadors.

Cindy Ngamba is already familiar with fellow Maverick ambassadors Kerry Davis, Delicious Orie and Conner Tudsbury from the GB podium squad in Sheffield.  As she is applying for UK citizenship, she cannot officially be a part of the squad, but is allowed to train and compete at IBA competitions with the Fair Chance team for displaced boxers.

It has been an arduous road for the 23year old who was born in Cameroon but arrived in Bolton as a child after a two-year spell in Paris.

“I got my refugee status here because of my sexuality. In my country [Cameroon], it’s illegal – you can get killed, beaten up or put into prison for being gay,” explained Cindy.

“I’ve had many, many hard years coming up and I believe that’s what’s made me what I am. You learn from hard times, that’s how I see it.”

When she is not at GB Boxing, Cindy trains out of Elite Boxing under the guidance of well-respected coach Alex Matvienko. Elite is a long-standing partner of Maverick Stars with the club delivering many community initiatives – work Cindy will be assisting with.

A three-time, three-weight national amateur champion, Cindy competed for the Fair Chance refugee team at last year’s World Championships, but the main goal now is for her citizenship status to be settled in time for the 2024 Olympics.

“It would mean the world to me,” she says with her trademark smile. “To go out there with GB, wear the vest and represent the country I’ve been trying to fight with for many years. A dream come true!”