The Lion roars once again thanks to donation from Matchroom Charitable Foundation

The Lion Boxing Academy, once a beacon of hope and community in Hoxton, East London, has received a crucial lifeline from the Matchroom Charitable Foundation, ensuring its revival after a challenging period of uncertainty.

Thanks to a £7,000 donation, the club – which found itself with just three registered boxers earlier this year – has now recruited over thirty new members, a brand new coaching team and has restructured its club committee, paving the way for a more stable future. The much needed funds from Matchroom will cover a host of essential expenses for the upcoming season, including new boxing equipment, affiliation fees and travel costs.

In a special celebration event held on Thursday evening, Matchroom Chairman, Eddie Hearn, alongside Johnny Fisher, Giorgio Visioli and former Lion members, Francis Ampofo and Big John Fisher, presented the club with a cheque, care package and even provided tickets to the upcoming Anthony Joshua vs. Daniel Dubois event at Wembley Stadium to a selection of lucky competition winners.

Speaking to the Matchroom cameras, Eddie Hearn passionately emphasised the pivotal role that the Matchroom Charitable Foundation has played in the transformation of the Lion Boxing Academy.

“The club came to us and said ‘look, we’re struggling financially, we’ve got three carded fighters and it looks like we’re going to have to close the club down’,” explained Hearn.

“If we start letting clubs like this close down, we should all be ashamed of ourselves. Anybody that works in boxing, we’ve all got an obligation to support these clubs, but we’ve also got an obligation to the coaches and the volunteers that give up their time so selflessly to help the kids within the community”.

Hearn continued by highlighting the importance of amateur boxing clubs in communities, stressing that more must be done to support them in continuing to offer a safe haven for young people.

“It doesn’t matter who you are, what your background is, what estate you live on, what your parents do… When you walk through those doors, you are all exactly the same. They’ve gone from three carded fighters to over thirty carded fighters, Steve and the guys here have done such an incredible job,” said Hearn.

“We’ve made a financial contribution to the club to make sure they can keep thriving, but we’ll also give them support commercially. It’s time for the government to start realising the support these places need. Speak to the young kids in here, it’s so important!”

The Lion Boxing Academy was founded in 1934 by Dicky Pates, who served as its first Chairman. He was succeeded by notable figures including Jarvis Astaire, Vanni Treves CBE, Tony Evans and Alan Parry BEM – who dedicated nearly 50 years to the club, with 25 years as Chairman. Alan was awarded the British Empire Medal in 2012 and the London Youth Gold Medal for his contributions to youth and amateur boxing. The current Chairman, Paul Morant, Alan’s nephew, has been with the Lion for 40 years and took over the role in March 2022.

Originally based at St Monica’s School in Hoxton Square, the club moved to its current location on Pitfield Street in 1961 and became a registered charity in 1963. In 2017, under Alan Parry’s vision, the premises were redeveloped into a state-of-the-art boxing gym to bring the club into the 21st century.

The club, which initially served as a boys’ club offering various sports and activities, began welcoming girls in the 1990s, with a renewed focus on boxing. In January 2024, the club introduced a new crest and rebranded as the Lion Boxing Academy. Its motto, “The Lion Roars,” reflects its long-standing mission to help local youth develop their physical, mental and spiritual capacities, enabling them to grow into mature individuals and active members of society, ultimately improving their quality of life.

The Lion has a long history of producing top-quality boxers who have competed at both amateur and professional levels, proudly wearing the yellow vest. Notable alumni include Lawrence Okolie (Former World Cruiserweight Champion), Francis Ampofo (Former British Flyweight Champion), George Hillyard (Former WBU International Super Middleweight Champion) and many others, including standout amateurs like Dominic Bergonzi, Julian Borg and Zak Farrugia. The Academy also counts among its ranks 1980s Grange Hill star Lee “Zammo” MacDonald.

The Academy has hosted many memorable events at both Pitfield Street and Bethnal Green’s York Hall, but one of the most unforgettable nights was in 1987 when heavyweight legend Mike Tyson visited Pitfield Street to present trophies at the end-of-year awards, a moment forever etched in Hoxton’s history.

Also in attendance was Matchroom prospect Giorgio Visioli, who was full of praise for the club and its young members.

“It’s a great little gym they’ve got here and now they’ve got Matchroom on board they’re doing some great things,” said Visioli, himself mentored by Lion Head Coach, Steve Walters during his time at Repton Boxing Club.

“I’ve come down here to support the kids. I think we’re going to do a bit of pads with them, give them tips for future fights and offer some other bits of good advice. Giving back to the next generation is vital. We all started in gyms like this ourselves and I believe we as fighters have a lot to offer these youngsters.”

Reflecting on the club’s storied history, former member and club legend, Francis Ampofo, spoke highly of the coaches he worked with – as well as the club’s current coaching team – praising their dedication and noting the countless hours they volunteer for free to support their boxers.

“Back in 1984, I walked in here after school and asked Roy if I could join the gym. He said ‘yeah’, then I was here for six years before I turned professional – and they really looked after me,” beamed Ampofo.

“They took me everywhere around the country with boxing. I didn’t really realise how important the coaches were until after I retired from boxing. I thought they’d taken all that time looking after me, building me up… making me what I am today”, he continued.

“I’ve only ever been with two clubs: The Lion Boys’ Club and Matchroom, that’s it – and they both really looked after me in life, you know.”

The evening was rounded off with a pads demonstration from none other than social media sensation Big John Fisher, another former Lion member as a youngster and, of course, father to Matchroom Heavyweight Johnny Fisher.

The event was a powerful testament to the Lion Boxing Academy’s deep-rooted history and enduring significance within its community. It brought together a gathering of past and present members, all united by their shared connection to the club and its legacy. The room was filled with former champions, coaches and lifelong supporters, all of whom had played a part in shaping the Academy’s journey over the decades. Their presence underscored the strong sense of pride and camaraderie that has always defined the club.

This gathering was not just a celebration of the club’s storied past, but also a turning point for its future. With renewed energy, new funding and a growing membership, the Lion Boxing Academy now stands on strong foundations, poised for a new era of success. The event marked the beginning of an exciting new chapter, providing the perfect launchpad for the club to continue nurturing talent and inspiring the next generation of boxers in Hoxton and beyond.