New boxing nights help abuse survivors rebuild confidence
A fresh line of all-female fight nights aims to raise cash for free boxing lessons helping women rebuild confidence after abusive relationships in London.
Saria joined a free camp run by former Team GB boxer Lesley Sackey two years after leaving one abusive relationship and finding another. The training gave her strength to fight for herself and gain a sense of self-worth she had never possessed before in her life.
On 28 November several women from the programme will step into the ring at Ladbroke Hall for the first event by Fight Back Promotions. Sackey and Shelly Sweeney created this group with Poppy Mason-Watts to organize these special matches for survivors.
A quarter of the money from each match supports training classes for women affected by domestic abuse. Organisers also want to give women more chances to compete fairly against evenly matched opponents in white-collar boxing.
Just under forty women have finished the structured programme so far. Organisers gather feedback to evaluate shifts in mental well-being and personal confidence levels. Sweeney sees shy women with curved shoulders change over time as their chest lifts and chin comes up while they start conversations instead.