RESEARCH SHOWS THE POWER OF BOXING

A new study from England Boxing (“The role of Boxing in Development: A social marketing perspective”) has revealed how and why the sport is so successful in helping to combat anti-social behavioural problems in young people from deprived communities.

The report, which is based on a qualitative study of participants from The Boxing Academy in Hackney and Anfield ABC’s Champions of Life programme (Liverpool), was carried out by the Walker Research (on behalf of England Boxing).

It identifies five common themes which help to explain why boxing is more successful than many other sports in re-engaging disaffected young people, addressing behavioural problems and putting people on a pathway to improved life chances.

“It is widely acknowledged that getting involved in boxing has the capacity to help people turn their lives around, overcome difficult circumstances and become positive contributors to society, “explained England Boxing Director, Giorgio Brugnoli.

“This unique study helps to increase our understanding of how and why this happens and identifies some of the precise reasons why boxing is more successful than many other sports in engaging with the most hard-to-reach individuals and having a positive impact on their personalities and behaviour.”

Dr Stephen Hills, Senior Lecturer in Sports Business Management at London Metropolitan University, who was part of the research team, added: “At a time when national governing bodies (NGBs) are being challenged about their role in development as part of the Government’s new sports strategy, this study has isolated the unique role that boxing can play, which will hopefully lead to targeted funding and programme design that effectively leverages the capability of boxing to tackle gritty social problems and access hard to reach target groups.”

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