Empire’s Visit to Belfast: Advancing Our UK Network Partnership with Matchroom

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Last week, Aaron, Growth and Development Manager at Empire, had the privilege of attending fight week in Belfast alongside Matchroom, for the Crocker vs. Donovan fight.

This was also an opportunity to grow our UK Network partnership with Matchroom, where we are supporting boxing clubs across the United Kingdom, by paying a visit to six clubs in the Northern Ireland capital.

Belfast, has a profound boxing heritage, and this was first time we have been to Northern Ireland to expand our work.

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    Alex from Matchroom and Aaron from Empire at the Crocker V Donovan boxing show in Belfast.

A City Where Boxing Heals and Unites

 Belfast is a city where boxing transcends sport, serving as a powerful instrument of social cohesion. Particularly during the Troubles, boxing clubs became sanctuaries, fostering unity and resilience across divided communities.

Empire visited clubs and met committed volunteers who use boxing as a social tool for change—offering young people structure, purpose, and a sense of belonging. The visit underscored that boxing in Belfast is not only about producing champions, but about it’s deep seated impact on the local community and the lives of young people.

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    Aaron from Empire and Alex from Matchroom at Sacred Heart Boxing Academy in Belfast.

Over five days, the team visited six boxing clubs across the city, attended an international fight and experienced an amateur club show, gaining a deeper appreciation for the exceptional local infrastructure and support available to clubs.

Alex Le Guevel, Matchroom Head of Community, said: “Belfast is undoubtedly one of the world’s great fighting cities - and it was an honour to witness first hand how boxing has played a unique role in bridging both physical and sectarian divides in a city with such a turbulent past.”

Brendan Irvine from St Pauls boxing club in West Belfast, who boxed in the Olympics twice, understands acutely the power of boxing and it’s impact there. He said “Belfast is a place where things can be a little chaotic in it’s communities, but you will always find peace in a boxing club. Boxing doesn’t divide, boxing has the power to bring everyone together.”

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    St Pauls Boxing Club in Belfast that has produced Olympic fighters.

Strategic Engagement 

 The visit gave us an opportunity to  :


Understand the Local Landscape

Visits to six boxing clubs in Belfast provided Empire with details on how boxing clubs serve as community hubs in the city.

Present Empire’s Offering

Empire and Matchroom introduced our boxing club partner programme. We aim to equip clubs with resources and training to amplify their community outreach and support systems.

Engage with the IABA

A meeting with the National Governing Body for Northern Ireland Boxing (IABA) explored avenues for a partnership and future collaboration.

Reinforce Our Alliance with Matchroom

Working alongside Matchroom, reinforced our shared dedication to empowering boxing clubs to create real and sustainable social change across the UK.

Future Plans: Box Champions in Belfast

 We look forward to further conversations with the IABA and boxing clubs in Belfast to see how we can support, and plan to invite Belfast clubs over to Bristol for our training experience before the end of the year.

Liam Corr, Belfast Boxing Development Officer, IABA, said : “It was great having Empire and Matchroom over to visit Belfast for the Croker and Donavan fight week. Great for them to get to so many clubs link in and show their interest, we’ve even had clubs contact after they left. Be great to work closer with Empire in the future and get clubs working as sufficiently as they can.

It was a great week, great to meet Empire. We look forward to having a lasting partnership, something that can work for IABA, Empire and the clubs.”

 

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    Holy Trinity Boxing Club in Belfast.

And Alex Le Guvelel, Matchroom Head of Community, added, “We now look forward to welcoming a selection of these clubs to Bristol, where they’ll meet the Empire team and gain even greater guidance, driving sustainability and ensuring the legacy of Crocker vs. Donovan fight week continues to last well beyond the event itself.”

Aaron Morten, Growth and Development Manager, at Empire Fighting Chance was pleased with the visit. He said: “It was an exciting week where Alex and I got to meet lots of great people from a true boxing City. Challenges boxing clubs face in Belfast are like where we work in England. I’m looking forward to sharing our work with clubs in Belfast to enhance the great work they are already delivering”.

For more information on our UK Box Network click here.