Gloves Up Boxing Project Transforms Lives of 50 Young Men in Leicester
They say the hardest part of any fight is the first step through the gym doors, but for 50 young men in Leicester, that step is proving to be a literal life-saver. From the heart of St Matthews, the Gloves Up project demonstrates that discipline and a pair of boxing gloves can be the ultimate weapons in the battle against local crime.
Project Overview and Funding
Gloves Up has engaged 50 young men aged between 11 and 17 from minority communities in St Matthews, Highfields, North Evington, and Humberstone Gate, Leicestershire. These participants take part in free boxing, martial arts, and fitness sessions at the Quba Martial Arts gym in St Matthews, aimed at preventing their involvement in crime, anti-social behaviour, and violence.
Police and Crime Commissioner Rupert Matthews has thrown his weight behind this powerful new initiative, which is transforming lives and helping young men in Leicester break the cycle of crime. The Leicester, Leicestershire, and Rutland PCC, who has prioritised prevention in his Police and Crime Plan, contributed funding worth £10,000 to the project. This grant supports reshaping the young men’s lives through the powerful medium of sport.
Program Structure and Impact
The funding has enabled three dedicated sessions per week that combine combat sports training with mentorship and emotional support. These sessions challenge behavioural issues and divert the young people from risk-taking behaviour. Delivered by trained coaches, ex-professionals, and community role models—many of whom have lived experience of the challenges facing the young men—the project tackles social isolation, disengagement, and exposure to crime.
Key goals include increasing self-esteem, building new support networks, and fostering resilience. The project has already reduced youth crime and anti-social behaviour while successfully challenging the glorification of gang culture, wealth, status, negative role models, or the ‘wrong crowd’. Additionally, it addresses behaviours linked to an increased risk of crime, such as anger, emotional dysregulation, and lack of motivation.
Success Stories and Wider Benefits
In one notable example, a 13-year-old boy was referred to the scheme after his school became concerned about his behaviour and fascination with crime. Since consistently engaging in the sessions, he has:
- Abandoned his interest in crime and conflict.
- Developed discipline, respect, and positive friendships.
- Improved in school both academically and behaviourally.
- Shown increased happiness and calmness.
His parents have confirmed he is more respectful, less drawn to negative influences, and more future-focused. In wider benefits, the project has resolved disrespectable behaviour and poor boundaries among the young people, promoting respect, self-control, and emotional regulation.
Several participants are no longer engaging in criminality or idolising criminal behaviour and have developed trusted relationships with coaches. School engagement, mental and physical wellbeing, and future aspirations have all improved.
Official Statement from Police and Crime Commissioner
Police and Crime Commissioner Rupert Matthews said: “This fantastic project is proof of the power of sport and mentorship to transform lives and help young people overcome the barriers holding them back from achieving their full potential. Too many vulnerable children who disengage from society and exhibit risk-taking or challenging behaviour have unmet support needs. These behaviours can easily escalate into violence, crime, or ASB if not addressed. This is why early intervention is critical.”
He added: “Like so many of the projects I support, Gloves Up works with young men at an impressionable moment in their lives when they are most open to change and have the belief of the trusted adults around them that they are capable of such change. And the results speak for themselves. Not only has crime and anti-social behaviour in the immediate community reduced, but a life of incarceration has suddenly lost its appeal. This is really encouraging and demonstrates the value of investing in sport as a means to change lives.”
