Exclusive: Sheffield Promoter Believes Boxing Can Help Prevent Knife Crime

Sheffield-based promoter Izzy Asif insists boxing can play a crucial role in helping to solve knife crime, which this week cast a dark shadow over his home city.

As the country was still coming to terms with the fatal stabbing of three young girls in Southport last summer - a gruesome crime for which the teenage perpetrator, Axel Rudakubana, was recently detailed at His Majesty’s Pleasure for - Harvey Willgoose died after being attacked with a bladed article at All Saints Catholic High School. 

South Yorkshire Police have since charged another boy, also aged 15, with the student’s murder.

Asif, whose company GBM is set to stage a show around two-and-a-half miles away from the scene on Friday night, publicly offered his condolences to Willgoose’s family at the pre-card media conference.

Later, speaking exclusively to SportsBoom.com, he urged community leaders not to overlook the positive influence that his sport can have on wayward lives.

“Boxing, most definitely, can help to combat knife crime,” he said. 

“It teaches you discipline and respect, not only for yourself but for those around you too."

“It’s not expensive to take up and there are gyms in every part of every town and city. They’re run by good people, who instil the right attitude in you."

"That’s what boxing requires, because it’s impossible not to have respect for someone who goes through the training and is willing to also put themselves in the ring."

“That takes character. True character.”

“All of us, no matter what age we are, what job we do or whatever background we come from, have a responsibility to come together in situations like this and say enough is enough."

"We can’t lose any more lives in circumstances like this. Boxing - and sport in general - are so important in that process.”

Newly crowned British and Commonwealth champion Conah Walker revealed how boxing had transformed his life following a spell in youth detention after wrestling the belts from Harry Scarff in Nottingham nearly a fortnight ago. 

TRANSFORMS LIVES

Walker, from Wolverhampton, acknowledged it had taught him values which put him back on the straight and narrow following his run in with authority.

Echoing the welterweight’s sentiments, Asif added: “As he (Walker) explained, once you know you can do damage inside the ring you don’t actually want to do damage outside of it. I totally get where he’s coming from on that."

“Boxing is a tough business but, trust me, when you’re involved in it or have been involved in it, you actually don’t want to hurt people on the streets or whatever. You know that would be tantamount to bullying and nobody likes a bully.”

“I played a lot of cricket when I was younger, for Sheffield Collegiate, which is one of the best clubs around here and from quite an affluent area,” said Asif. 

“I wasn’t from an affluent background but it exposed me to people from all walks of life - solicitors, police and senior managers - who are still friends today."

“They saw me for who I am and I saw them for who they were. There were no barriers. Sport brings down barriers and that’s why I encourage everyone, whether they want to play it to a high standard or not, to take up sport and be active at a young age."

“I always tell people ‘Put on the gloves. Don’t pick up a knife.’ Sport - and especially boxing - can deliver a very powerful message and be a powerful tool for good.”