Matchroom-backed boxing network secures £180,000 funding boost

Grassroots boxing clubs across the UK are doing far more than producing boxers. They’re building confidence, resilience and wellbeing, creating trusted spaces within their communities and supporting young people through some of the challenges they face.

By sharing knowledge, experiences and resources, these clubs can extend their impact even further. From South Yorkshire to Bristol, Leicester to Essex, the opportunity to learn from one another, exchange ideas and build on approaches that have already proved successful is helping clubs strengthen their work and better support the communities they serve.

That principle sits at the heart of Matchroom Boxing’s groundbreaking partnership with Empire Fighting Chance, bringing grassroots boxing clubs together to use the sport as a vehicle for positive social change.

Now, that work has received another significant boost, with the Peter Harrison Foundation committing £180,000 over three years to support Empire’s Boxing for Good network and provide direct investment into community boxing clubs.

The funding marks another important step forward for the partnership, attracting further investment into grassroots boxing at a time when clubs need it most.

In November 2024, Matchroom Boxing announced a landmark three-year partnership with Empire Fighting Chance, backed by a £300,000 investment from the Matchroom Charitable Foundation.

The ambitious programme was established to support up to 100 amateur boxing clubs across the UK, combining Empire’s pioneering approach to boxing and psychology with practical support to strengthen club operations, improve financial sustainability and increase their impact within local communities.

Working alongside England Boxing, the partnership also draws on Matchroom’s wider platform, relationships and influence within the sport to connect clubs with new opportunities, share their achievements and advocate for greater recognition and investment in community boxing.

Since its beginnings in March 2022, Empire’s Boxing for Good network has reached 73 affiliated clubs across the UK, collectively supporting tens of thousands of young people.

Each club responds to different local challenges, but shares a belief that boxing can achieve much more than sporting success. Through the network, they exchange best practice and develop the skills and infrastructure needed to sustain their work.

That collaborative approach has already produced some significant milestones.

In January 2025, the first Matchroom-supported training and development cohort gathered at Empire’s Bristol headquarters, bringing coaches and club leaders together to explore funding, governance, impact measurement and opportunities for growth.

Earlier this year, Matchroom and Empire also brought representatives from five partner clubs to the Houses of Parliament, presenting evidence of the network’s social impact and highlighting the challenges facing grassroots boxing directly to policymakers.

The Peter Harrison Foundation’s investment builds on that progress, with new resources directed towards the clubs themselves.

The Peter Harrison Foundation’s commitment will provide £60,000 annually over the next three years, with funding divided equally between programme development and direct investment into community boxing clubs.

£30,000 per year will enable Empire Fighting Chance to continue sharing its psychologically informed approach with clubs across the country, strengthening their ability to support young people and deliver effective community programmes.

The remaining £30,000 per year will be distributed directly to three selected boxing clubs, with each receiving £10,000 to develop and expand their existing provision.

Three clubs have been selected for the first year:

• DC Boxing – South Yorkshire
• Atlas Boxing and Fitness – Leicester
• Reach Group Community Projects – Essex

All three have demonstrated a strong community impact and a commitment to sharing their expertise. The funding will help them develop existing programmes, invest in their organisations and reach more young people.

A further three clubs will be selected in each subsequent year, meaning nine boxing clubs will benefit from £90,000 in direct investment over the duration of the programme. Crucially, the benefits will extend beyond the nine recipients, with lessons from their work shared across the wider network.

While Empire Fighting Chance leads the programme’s development and delivery, Matchroom helps connect its expertise with the wider boxing community, opening doors to new relationships, resources and opportunities.

The latest funding demonstrates the value of that collaboration in attracting investment at a time when grassroots clubs face rising costs and increasing demand for their services.

One of the first beneficiaries, DC Boxing, has already demonstrated the value of this approach.

Based in South Yorkshire, the club has worked closely with Matchroom and Empire to develop new opportunities for young people, including a pioneering boxing scholarship programme launched alongside WBC World Super Lightweight Champion Dalton Smith at Maltby Academy.

The initiative combines academic study with structured boxing training, alongside opportunities to develop coaching, leadership and employability skills.

The scholarship demonstrates how investment and collaboration can help clubs create opportunities beyond competitive sport. The new funding will allow DC Boxing, Atlas Boxing and Reach Group Community Projects to build on their work and share their experiences with others.

The Peter Harrison Foundation’s £180,000 commitment marks another important milestone for the Boxing for Good programme.

Combined with the Matchroom Charitable Foundation’s original £300,000 investment, it brings £480,000 in committed funding to support grassroots boxing clubs and community provision across the UK.

Beyond financial support, Matchroom and Empire Fighting Chance are helping clubs demonstrate their impact, replicate successful approaches and make a stronger case for recognition and investment in grassroots boxing.

Strengthening individual boxing clubs is important, but building a connected, sustainable national network capable of supporting thousands more young people is where the real opportunity lies.

For more information about the programme and how your club can get involved, email: aaron@empirefightingchance.org.