A brave Blackpool student has expressed immense pride after stepping into the boxing ring to raise vital funds for charity. Matthew Isherwood, 19, secured a victory at a major university fight night following weeks of intense training. The young man took on the challenge to support a cause close to his heart while building his personal confidence.
Matthew said: "My win in a student charity boxing match has allowed me to prove that I can be as tough as anyone else and strengthened my confidence as a young adult."
The politics, philosophy and economics student at the University of Sheffield was one of 32 students who signed up for the event. The eighth annual 'Wilder' Fight Night provided participants with six weeks of free boxing training at a local gym, led by former champion Ross Burkinshaw, who is well known across the region.
Speaking about the preparation, Matthew said: "I loved the training, intense though it was and sometimes gruelling even. Making friends while working towards the same goal." He continued: "Fight night soon came round in former factory premises called The Forge. Friends and family travelled from Blackpool. I was so proud to get the win against fellow student Matthew Mannix. This was probably the most courageous thing either of us had ever done. We’ve become friends."
He added: "How couldn’t we, having hit each other hard in the body, face and head, and I mean hard, over three two-minute rounds?"
The former student of St Chad’s Primary and Hodgson Academy High now plans to pursue a career in business planning and strategy. He previously studied business, economics and geography at 'A' level while playing basketball at school. Sharing his background, he said: "I played basketball at school alongside my main hobbies metal music and watching the UFC. I love Blackpool and I’ve come to love Sheffield." He continued: "For example, the Peaks Sports Bar in Sharrow is just the best place anywhere."
Three weeks before the big bout, the dedicated student also stripped down to his underwear to help publicise the event. He said: "Three weeks before the bout, I’d joined forty other students in the Ballsy5K underwear fun run to publicise the boxing show and the main charity The Oddballs Foundation which raises awareness of and funds research into testicular cancer." He added: "In total I raised £300 for the charity and was more than happy to be seen running through Sheffield wearing just my brightly coloured boxers for the cause." He continued: "It’s a hilly place and the people curious and friendly so a lot of fun."
The experience has completely transformed his outlook and given him a fantastic boost. He said: "Everything about this boxing experience has been fantastic. I was always small for my age and considered a bit soft. You can’t be soft in Blackpool. Well, no more." A boxing pundit congratulated me on my fight performance. Welcome to the League of Rock-Hard Lads,' he said. "I’m delighted to accept membership and I’m looking forward to my next fight."
In total, the inspiring student boxers have raised more than £15,000 for The Oddballs Foundation. The popular black-tie university fight night events were originally started by Sal Sinawi, 38, back in 2021. Over the past five years, these special events across 20 British and Irish cities have raised more than £800,000 for the vital charity.
