AMBASSADORS

World renowned boxing coach

Peter Fury was the first to put his name behind Boxers in Need, becoming our first ambassador and member. Peter will be hosting his own podcast to raise awareness to the project as well as doing a future meet and greet with a selection of invited members. Boxing is close to Peters heart having trained multiple champions including Tyson Fury, Savannah Marshall and his son Hughie. "Boxing has kept me out of trouble! In my life when I have been in a gym I have been ok. Boxing helps kids with discipline and direction and I am happy to be a member and ambassador for Boxers in Need and I encourage anyone who loves boxing to join up with me!"

Professional Heavyweight Boxer

Hughie Fury is a former British champion and heavyweight world title challenger and one of the current leading world contenders in the division. Hughie has come onboard as an ambassador for Boxers in Need and we are delighted to have someone like him behind the program. Hughie knows first hand the impact and positive effect that boxing and amateur gyms have on young people even if they are never going to box! "Not everyone who goes in a gym becomes a boxer but many come out as good people with respect and discipline! I'm Delighted to become an Ambassador!"

Former world cruiserweight Champion now boxing pundit

Johnny Nelson MBE is a former British professional boxer and current TV pundit and motivational speaker. He is best known for holding the World Boxing Organization (WBO) cruiserweight title from 1999 to 2006, the longest reign in history.  Most remembered for his seven-year reign as WBO Cruiserweight Champion, he is the longest-reigning cruiserweight of all time. In addition to his worldwide success, Johnny Nelson has also held the British Cruiserweight twice, between 1989 and 1997 and held the European Cruiserweight title on two occasions.

Former Professional Boxer, now succesful trainer and mentor

Glyn Rhodes MBE has devoted his life to boxing. Since wandering into the world-famous St Thomas' gym in Sheffield as a directionless teenager, he has spent more than 40 years working inside and outside the ropes. Cognisant of how this hardest of sports both saved and brutalised him, he is now ready to tell his story. Rhodes' reflections offer fresh perspectives on the likes of Naseem Hamed, Johnny Nelson, Herol Graham, Clinton Woods, the British Boxing Board of Control, plus his complicated relationship with the iconic Brendan Ingle. Glyn is now a respected boxing trainer, bringing through the next generation of stars and is a valued ambassador for Boxers in Need.

Professional Boxer

David Allen is a has challenged twice for the Commonwealth heavyweight title in 2017 and 2018. He holds a notable win over former WBA regular title holder Lucas Browne and is one of the likable and followed boxers presently in the UK. Coming off an impressive draw recently against Johnny Fisher, a fight many thought he deserved to win, watch this space!

It doesnt look like Dave will be hanging the gloves up anytime soon and is looking for the rematch with Fisher. Dave is one of the first ambassadors for us and someone who supports us when and where he can.

Former undisputed boxing champion

Ricky Hatton MBE is a former professional boxer who competed between 1997 and 2012, and has since worked as a boxing promoter and trainer. During his boxing career he held multiple world championships in the light-welterweight division, and one at welterweight.Ricky, known for his aggressive fighting style and tenacity held the WBA and IBF light welterweight titles and was known for his famous victories over Kostya Tszyu and José Luis Castillo. He also fought top names like Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao. Hatton retired in 2012 with a record of 45 wins and 3 losses, leaving a lasting impact on British boxing with his fan-friendly, action-packed approach and relentless pressure.

Former British boxing champion

John 'Buster' Keeton John Keeton (born 19 May 1972) is a British former professional boxer who competed from 1993 to 2009. He held the British cruiserweight title and challenged twice for the Commonwealth cruiserweight title between 2006 and 2007.

Keeton had his first professional contest on 11 August 1993, scoring a stoppage win over Tony Colclough in Mansfield. For the first three years of his career Keeton's results were a mixture of victories and defeats losing to the likes of Julius Francis, Bruce Scott and Nicky Piper. Following the Piper defeat on 7 July 1995, Keeton scored a run of five victories to earn a shot at the British title for the first time.

Former British and commonwealth champion

Tommy Frank is a British professional boxer who held the British flyweight title from 2021 to 2023 and the Commonwealth super-flyweight title from 2019 to 2020.

Tommy was born in Sheffield, Yorkshire. At the age of five, Frank had an operation to repair a hole in his heart and has since been an ambassador for Yorkshire-based national charity Heart Research UK. Frank took up boxing at the age of twelve, compiling an amateur record of 23–22, training at the Sheffield Boxing Centre in Hillsborough under the tutelage of head trainer Glyn Rhodes. After leaving school he studied plumbing at Castle College in Sheffield and worked as a labourer before turning professional. He is proud to be an ambassador for Boxers in Need.

Boxing Now presenter and MC

Aky Karim is a British boxing presenter, commentator, and MC, recognized for his engaging presence in the sport. He is a partner and started his boxing carear with British Boxers BBTV, Boxing Now and has contributed to platforms such as DAZN, TalkSport, Eurosport, BBC Sport, and IBA boxing, enhancing his reputation within the boxing community. Aky conducts interviews with prominent boxing figures, including legends like Joe Calzaghe and current champions like Hughie Fury.  His dedication to boxing extends to organizing events, such as previewing fight nights like "Destruction In The Dome" featuring Carly Skelly's WBC International Title bout. 

Karim's multifaceted involvement significantly enriches the boxing landscape.