Boxxer’s Ben Shalom: ‘I sacrificed my 20s, I sacrificed everything’
The Independent
23-05-22 16:35
Boxing promoter Ben Shalom, founder of Boxxer, has spoken to The Independent about his journey to becoming Britain's youngest licensed promoter at the age of 23. Shalom was inspired to enter the sport by the "cruelty" of the industry towards fighters. His Boxxer business offers accessible events with fair pricing, transparency and an effort to cut through the perceived "long-winded undercards, the belt system, judging, regulation." Boxxer initially hosted tournaments as it was not in a position to sign fighters; however, recent sponsorship and TV deals have allowed the company to sign fighters such as women's stars Claressa Shields, Savannah Marshall and Natasha Jonas, as well as Liam Smith, Lawrence Okolie and Olympians Frazer Clarke and Ben Whittaker. "It’s always harder for [boxers], so you get so much energy off that. We have a massive responsibility to the sport," says Shalom.