Maree Boxing and Boxing Ireland announce promotional link-up

[Ruthless-RKO]

Press Release

The biggest independent boxing management groups in the U.K. and Ireland are set to form a new partnership to become a leading force on the European scene.

Maree Boxing, headed up by Kevin Maree, and Boxing Ireland Promotions founder Leonard Gunning are to team up to open doors for their stable of fighters, which now extends to over 100 boxers.

Speaking about the partnership Kevin Maree said, “everyone knows how passionate I am about boxing in Ireland so this was always a natural progression.

“In the past year we have built Maree Boxing to a stable of over 80 fantastic boxers, with huge plans for some fantastic shows.

“The next step was always entering the Irish market. I couldn’t be happier then to team up with Boxing Ireland Promotions,” added Maree.

“This link up will create incredible opportunities for all our boxers. Our fighters can feature on platforms in the UK and Ireland, and vice versa.

“Our strength in numbers mean we can really open doors, and provide incredible opportunities for our fighters. We have already shown over the past year in lockdown we make things happen. With our boxers featuring on Sky Sports, BT Sports, Channel 5, Eurosport, Fightzone. This link up will provide even more opportunities and lots more shows both in UK and Ireland.

“I have worked with Leonard Gunning for many years and have really been impressed how he has kicked doors down to keep boxing going in Ireland. We have been planning this for a while and we have some really exciting plans.

“This link up will benefit boxing throughout Ireland. For any boxer serious about getting the most out of their career there’s now no better option then to join our team,” concluded an excited Maree.

Speaking about the deal Leonard Gunning said, “This is a major move in developing pathways for Irish fighters for the future. Dennis Morrison, Stephen Sharpe and I have worked hard to grow the domestic scene from scratch in Ireland and boxers can now fight regularly and develop their careers without having to move abroad.

“Irish boxing was in a dark places a few years ago. But we’ve done a lot of heavy lifting and our fighters can now reap the rewards of that work. It has taken us four years of slowly putting all the pieces together and now with Kevin on board we have access to all the top shows in the UK and beyond.

“I’ve known Kevin for over a decade, ever since the days since he was involved with training Carl Frampton. He is a guy I really trust, the first fighter I ever signed was Joe Rea and I sent him to train with Kevin in Lancashire ahead of the Prizefighter tournament and Kevin got him in the best condition of his career. His credentials as a trainer are impeccable and since he has switched hats to become a full time manager he has rapidly developed one of the biggest stables in Europe,” explained Gunning.

“Joining forces with Maree Boxing will open up so many more opportunities for our fighters and I’m really excited for the whole team to get to work.”

Multiple new fight dates will be announced in the coming days to launch this exciting new venture.

[margaret thatcher]

100 boxers? is there a list of them anywhere

[Floydendizer]

Kevin seems to signing anybody at the moment , signed a lot of amateurs from Yorkshire who in my opinion are not ready to turn over , but I suppose COVID has changed a lot of peoples thinking over the last year , one coach asked me about one of his young lads turning over with Kevin who has only had 10 junior / youth bouts & is no where ready to turn pro but says Kevin has a plan for him , I said it’s your call and time will tell if it’s the right call , Fightzone has been great so far in getting boxers back out again but the lads haven’t been under pressure to sell 75 + tickets to get on but now Sheffield outdoors has finished & shows going back inside the pressure is back on the boxers .

[kevinmaree]

Hi there

I’m not sure that’s true.
Yes certainly signing a lot of boxers. But certainly not just anybody

[Floydendizer]

Hi Kev
Like I say COVID changed a lot of this last year &.probably made lads turn over sooner than planned . I’ve been a judge in Yorkshire for a few seasons now so pretty well qualified to know who’s ready or not , I do get asked about certain lads from time to time & there’s a lad from Legions in York who I thought was nailed on to turn Pro but think he’s still amateur , anyway Fightzone been great so far but the pressure is now on the boxers to shift tickets now it’s going back inside , after all your a business man and I’m guessing Fightzone isn’t a cheap business model .

[kevinmaree]

Hi buddy

Your right I certainly think some amateurs have
Been looking with the uncertainty of the amateur boxing and questioning what to do. Fingers crossed things are looking more positive on that side for the boxers, I certainly hope so

The only comment I had to pull on was the quote of the amateurs kid of 10 fights who said I had a plan for him. That certainly won’t be the case but I’ll take it as a compliment if he has said that (but it won’t be true)

Yes I’m a business man but also a boxing man. And my main reason for doing what I’m doing at the moment is to really try and help these boxers. There far to many blaggers in the sport at the moment offering false promises
I make sure as, you will see, that all my boxers have platforms to get out and are kept active

Yorkshire is certainly somewhere I’m targeting. Such a hot bed of talent !!!!

I’m doing a show in Bradford sept 18th hopefully see you there

Look out next week for a really superb Yorkshire boxer who has signed

All the best lads

[Floydendizer]

Good luck with what is going to be very busy season for you & yep will hopefully be going to the Bradford show know a couple of lads on there , look forward to your news next week there’s no doubt I’ve seen your new signing a few times .

[mickey1975]

Hi Kev
Like I say COVID changed a lot of this last year &.probably made lads turn over sooner than planned . I’ve been a judge in Yorkshire for a few seasons now so pretty well qualified to know who’s ready or not , I do get asked about certain lads from time to time & there’s a lad from Legions in York who I thought was nailed on to turn Pro but think he’s still amateur , anyway Fightzone been great so far but the pressure is now on the boxers to shift tickets now it’s going back inside , after all your a business man and I’m guessing Fightzone isn’t a cheap business model .

Zack?

[Floydendizer]

Yep , remember his first bout straight in with Joe Garside for Yorkshire elite belt which he won & Joe is a good fighter who signed with Kev .

[mickey1975]

Yep , remember his first bout straight in with Joe Garside for Yorkshire elite belt which he won & Joe is a good fighter who signed with Kev .

I think the Irish kid who beat him in Haringey was a 100+ bouter.

[Floydendizer]

Straight in at the deep end , Legions show 3 rd September see if he’s on that , guessing he’s hard to match though .

[mickey1975]

Straight in at the deep end , Legions show 3 rd September see if he’s on that , guessing he’s hard to match though .

I don't know if he's there anymore. He's from Cannock and has bought a house down there. He came he to fight (kickboxing) and pulled a local girl on the night. He ended up living here with her. The girls dad is a huge backer of Legions.

[slapbangwhallop]

100 boxers? is there a list of them anywhere

It's well over 100 now Magge!

[sdwd]

good link up for boxing ireland few fellas who love boxing putting their heart and sole into it with out big backing. id say few tasty match ups between both promotions can be made