Parliamentary procedure: Matchroom champions boxing’s role in tackling knife crime

Matchroom in the Community continued its commitment to driving social change through sport with an appearance at the latest All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Boxing, hosted at Portcullis House in Westminster.

The cross-party group – made up of MPs, sector leaders and grassroots organisations – gathered to explore the vital role boxing can play in addressing some of the most urgent challenges facing young people today, including knife crime, antisocial behaviour and youth violence.

Alongside our partners at Empire Fighting Chance, we presented a shared vision for boxing as a catalyst for positive transformation, particularly in underserved communities.

The session was attended by the Minister for Sport, Media, Civil Society & Youth, Stephanie Peacock MP – and featured contributions from a wide range of stakeholders working at the intersection of sport, justice, education and public health.

Others taking part in the event included Lord Marvin Rees, former Mayor of Bristol and Empire trustee; Ben Eckett of Be Inspired Croydon – part of the Matchroom x Empire UK Network; Professor Rosie Meek, Policy Fellow at Royal Holloway and the Ministry of Justice and Dr Holly Collinson-Randall, a leading academic from Loughborough University specialising in the links between sport and youth violence.

Through our groundbreaking partnerships with Empire Fighting Chance and StreetGames, we are investing in programmes that blend boxing, mentoring and education to create new opportunities for young people at risk.

These initiatives are rooted in prevention – not punishment – and help equip young people with the confidence, resilience and life skills they need to make more positive choices and avoid pathways into violence.

Serena Wiebe, a 20-year-old boxing coach and mentor from East Bristol, is a powerful example of how community boxing can transform lives. Once a vulnerable teenager attending Empire Fighting Chance, Serena has gone on to become a key figure in the national conversation around youth violence and knife crime.

Now a mentor at Empire, Serena recently sat alongside King Charles and the Prime Minister at the first-ever Youth Opportunity Summit at St James’ Palace – using her voice to represent young people across the UK.

Serena has since joined roundtables with government ministers and campaigners including Idris Elba and Lisa Nandy MP – and continues to advocate for youth-led approaches to tackling knife crime.

“Representing Empire Fighting Chance, a charity that has saved my life, is one of my proudest moments,” she said.

“But the fight doesn’t stop here. I’ll continue to speak up, push for change and stand for those who feel unheard.”

Her work is deeply personal, driven by the loss of her brother Theo to suicide and her friend Eddie King to knife crime in 2023. Serena’s story reflects the life-changing impact of boxing-based intervention – and why more young people must be given the chance to follow in her footsteps.

Speaking after the session, Matchroom’s Head of Community Development, Alex Le Guével, underlined why boxing is so uniquely placed to make an impact.

“Boxing is often one of the last trusted doors left open to young people growing up in difficult circumstances,” he said.

“By backing community clubs that pair the sport with strong wraparound support, we’re helping to offer real alternatives – and real hope – to those who need it most.”

Our continued presence at the APPG reflects a growing effort to ensure that the voice of community boxing is heard at the highest level.

By working collaboratively with leading organisations and policymakers, we are helping to shape the national conversation around youth violence – and championing boxing as a powerful, proven and people-centred part of the solution.