West Ham United fans and Matchroom Boxers George Liddard, Jimmy Sains and Connor Mitchell took time out ahead of their respective fight week schedules to deliver a community session in East London, ahead of a mouthwatering Saturday night of boxing. Liddard vs Denny takes place just a stone’s throw from the Hammers London Stadium home at the Copper Box Arena.
Liddard headlines the card as he defends his British middleweight and Commonwealth Middleweight titles on home soil, taking on Tyler Denny. There will be an electric East End atmosphere on Saturday night as fellow Brentwood Gym fighters Sains and Mitchell take on Derrick Osaze and Yuri Zanoli respectively, in what is set to be a blockbuster evening of action.
The three fighters were joined by West Ham United goalkeeper Alphonse Areola and Club Ambassador Anton Ferdinand to meet Foundation participants for a session with Foundation partners Box-Up Crime and Beyond Food Foundation. The session demonstrated their collaborative efforts to offer young people positive pathways to fulfil their potential, in addition to tackling key social issues such as violence and gang crime.
In an inspiring session out on the 3G at The Foundry, West Ham United’s game-changing community hub, the five athletes learnt more about the services being offered through the Foundation and its partners, engaged with students and supported the activities which included pad work, fitness drills and other activities.
The participants each very much enjoyed taking insights from the three boxers, alongside Areola who were all too happy to give-up some time to support programmes having a positive impact on lives across east London.
Following building an appetite outside, everyone headed inside to the E6 Kitchen for a nutrition workshop with the Beyond Food Foundation, where together the participants and athletes made nourishing meals, championing the importance of a well-balanced diet to assist wellbeing and overall performance. Areola gave insight into what his diet looks like ahead of the big game, alongside the fighters passing on their own advice on the importance of good food, health and nutrition.
Speaking following the activity, British middleweight and Commonwealth Middleweight champion, George Liddard said:
“I grew up with West Ham birthday cakes, West Ham gifts… stocking fillers were definitely always West Ham gear.”
“I think boxing should be taught in schools, if I’m honest, when you grow up in a boxing gym, you learn to respect your elders and those around you.”
“To come down here… and be someone for these kids to look up to, it means the world to me. West Ham’s a family. It’s not just a club you support.”
“I was driving to the City game at the weekend and obviously drove past the Copper Box and I knew in a week’s time I’d be headlining there. It’s going to be packed out with West Ham fans come Saturday night and I can’t wait to see you all there showing your support and I can’t thank you all enough.”
Two-time UK amateur super bantamweight champion Connor Mitchell added: “My whole family supports West Ham so since I was a baby, that’s all I’ve ever known, really.
“My dad boxed for West Ham and he was the only fighter to headline a card at the Boleyn Ground. I was actually on trial for West Ham as a kid, and I started boxing for a bit of strength, just because I was small, getting pushed off the ball a lot.
“I think it’s good for them [the participants] to hear from us because most kids are out partying on the weekend, but I’m at home, in bed at half nine thinking about training tomorrow and what I’m eating. There’s a lot of discipline in boxing and I think when kids have discipline, it helps them in all aspects of their life.”
“We’re all West Ham supporters and hopefully one day we’ll be fighting at a London Stadium.”
English middleweight champion Jimmy Sains said:
“West Ham’s in my blood, my nan’s grandad played for Thames Ironwork, my dad played for West Ham and my brother too.”
“It’s great to be here today because I always try to give back to the community and I often go back to amateur clubs and local gyms. I think everyone should be taught some sort of boxing in their life because it gives you discipline and routine.”
“I’m really privileged to have West Ham backing me and I’m looking forward to putting on a good show this Saturday.”
West Ham United goalkeeper Alphonse Areola added:
“Different gloves! It is always good to meet new people and good to inspire as well. We’re here to help young kids, the next generation, follow their dreams and reach their objectives. I think Boxing, Football and any sport is great for discipline. Sometimes you’re not always in a great place, but sport is good to help that, whenever I had opportunities when I was young, I was just always so happy.
“I always see so many West Ham fans, even when I am travelling, so it’s always good to meet them. The boys obviously have a fight, so we wish them all of the best. We might not be there in person, but we will all be close to them and following it.”
Former West Ham United defender and Club ambassador Anton Ferdinand concluded:
“It’s been fantastic to be around George Liddard, Jimmy Sains and Connor Mitchell, three top prospects and top fighters doing really well for us as a country. For them to give their time on fight week to come to show love not only to the Foundation and the Club, but to Box-Up which is a really important programme, to stop gang crime and that gives people an out. Today truly epitomised what the Foundation and The Foundry is all about.
“I understand and know how important sport can be to an individual, I’m living proof of it, to see the kids today so happy and thriving, it’s another great programme helping kids feel safe and grow in confidence.”
Tickets to Liddard vs Denning are available via MatchroomBoxing.com. The event takes place at Copper Box Arena on Saturday, March 21 – live on DAZN – featuring Jimmy Sains and fellow Hammers’ Connor Mitchell and headline star, George Liddard.
