Empire Fighting Chance co-founders awarded Honorary Doctorates by UWE Bristol

Empire Fighting Chance Founders Honorary Doctorates Uwe Bristol

Empire Fighting Chance co-founders Jamie Sanigar and Martin Bisp have been awarded Honorary Doctorates of Education by the University of the West of England (UWE Bristol), recognising more than 20 years of transforming the lives of young people through the power of boxing.

The prestigious honour recognises Jamie and Martin's outstanding commitment to improving the lives of young people in Bristol and beyond. 

The award marks a significant milestone for Empire Fighting Chance, celebrating not only the achievements of our co-founders but also the collective impact of the thousands of young people, staff, volunteers, supporters and partners who have shaped the organisation over the past two decades.

  • Jamie Sanigar And Martin Bisp, Co Founders Of Empire Fighting Chance
    Jamie Sanigar (L) and Martin Bisp (R) co-founders of Empire Fighting Chance

From one conversation in a boxing gym to a national movement

Empire Fighting Chance was founded in Bristol in 2006 following a pivotal moment at the Empire Amateur Boxing Club in St Paul's.

After witnessing a drug deal involving local young people and stepping in to help, Jamie Sanigar and Martin Bisp invited those young people back to the boxing gym. That simple decision became the starting point for what is now one of the UK's leading charities using boxing to improve mental health, tackle inequality and prevent youth violence.

Over the past 20 years, we've developed an innovative, evidence-informed approach that combines non-contact boxing with psychology and therapeutic support. Today, we support young people facing challenges including trauma, poor mental health, school exclusion, social inequality and the risk of involvement in violence.

"Receiving this honorary doctorate is an incredible honour. When Martin and I started Empire Fighting Chance, we simply wanted to make a difference to the lives of a couple of young people in our community. We could never have imagined that, 20 years later, our work would be recognised in this way.

 

This honour belongs to everyone who has been part of the Empire journey—our young people, staff, volunteers, partners, supporters and funders. Every day we see young people overcome challenges that once seemed impossible, and that's what continues to inspire us.

 

We're incredibly proud of what Empire has achieved and excited about the opportunity to help even more young people in the years ahead."

 

Jamie Sanigar, CEO, Empire Fighting Chance

Building something bigger than boxing

While they shared a vision for helping young people, Jamie and Martin brought different experiences that would shape Empire Fighting Chance.

Before co-founding the charity, Jamie built a successful career in professional boxing alongside his father, Chris Sanigar. Together they developed Bristol Boxing Gym and Sanigar Events into one of the leading forces in professional boxing across the South West, managing British, European and World champions while promoting major events featuring legends of the sport including Frank Bruno, Joe Calzaghe, Ricky Hatton and Tyson Fury.

Martin began his career as a business analyst before dedicating himself to social change through sport. Together, the pair combined Jamie's lifelong experience in boxing with Martin's expertise in strategy and social innovation to create a model that has become recognised nationally and increasingly internationally.

Today, Empire Fighting Chance delivers programmes across Bristol and the South West while leading a national network. Organisations across the UK now deliver elements of the charity's approach, reaching thousands of young people in the past year alone. The model is also beginning to expand internationally through partnerships in Canada and the United States.

"We're deeply humbled to receive this recognition from UWE Bristol. It reflects not only our journey, but the belief that every young person deserves the chance to succeed, regardless of the challenges they face.

 

The young people we've worked alongside over the past two decades have taught us as much as we've ever taught them. This honour reinforces the importance of investing in communities and backing innovative approaches that help young people thrive. We're proud that work which began in Bristol is now supporting organisations across the UK and internationally."

 

Martin Bisp, Executive Director for Global Partnerships and Impact, Empire Fighting Chance

 

Recognition for an entire community

Although the honorary doctorates have been awarded to Jamie and Martin, both see the recognition as belonging to everyone who has contributed to Empire Fighting Chance's journey.

Every young person who has walked through the doors of the boxing gym, every member of staff, volunteer, supporter, funder and partner has played a part in building an organisation that continues to change lives across Bristol, the UK and beyond.

The award is a celebration of what can happen when communities come together with a shared belief that every young person deserves the opportunity to realise their potential.

Looking to the future

As Empire Fighting Chance celebrates this recognition from UWE Bristol, its focus remains firmly on the future.

The charity continues to expand its reach, support more young people and share its evidence-informed approach through the Boxing for Good network, helping organisations across the UK use boxing as a powerful tool for improving mental health, preventing violence and creating brighter futures.

While receiving Honorary Doctorates of Education is an incredible milestone, Jamie and Martin remain focused on the same mission that inspired them more than 20 years ago: ensuring that every young person has the opportunity to thrive, regardless of the challenges they face.

Find out more about our work

Whether you're looking to refer a young person, explore partnership opportunities or simply learn more about our work, we'd love to hear from you.

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