Malta: Monday, 17 October, 2011

Scottish Boxing Promoter, Mr. Paul Graham, was recently in Malta as a guest of the ‘Boxway Boxing Club’ in Birkirkara, Malta.

Paul, who runs Prospect Boxing Promotions in Scotland, which is licensed and regulated by the BBB of C, manages a growing stable of up and coming professional boxers including Maltese, Scottish based pugilists, Steve Martin and Daniel Micallef.

Paul’s involvement in boxing started rather late in life, when as a young man he suffered a back injury and took up the sport as a therapeutic measure to strengthen his back muscles. Six months later Paul had his first amateur boxing bout.

Paul boxed amateur for Scotland until the age of 33 and had no less than 60 fights, with 42 wins.

At the age of 33 Paul became an amateur boxing referee with the Amateur Scottish Boxing Association and three years later became a pro boxing referee under the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBof C). Eleven years later Paul Graham got his Boxing Promoter’s License and set up “Prospect Boxing Promotions” which boasts of no less than twelve up and coming professional boxers within its ranks.

While in Malta, Paul held discussions with Malta Boxing Commission, President Mr. Alexander Zammit and Boxway Boxing Gym, director Mr. Edwin Micallef. - Malta Boxing News caught up with these three stalwarts of Maltese pro boxing at the Boxway Gym.

Asked about his first impressions on Maltese Boxers (at the local gym), the Scottish promoter said; that he was surprised by the enthusiasm of the Maltese youngsters, the potential was there and he described the local prospects as “rough and uncut diamonds”.

Queried on his general view about local pro boxing; Paul Graham replied that his knowledge of the local boxing scene was to limited to give a full assessment, however he was aware that unsanctioned and unlicensed boxing was widely practiced in Malta and he could not stress enough the dangers of uncontrolled boxing competitions. Amongst these dangers Paul listed the lack of proper medical controls, the possibility of unfit people entering the ring, lack of proper match making and the fact that unregulated boxing is uninsured.

Malta Boxing Commission, President Alexander Zammit, talked about the discussions held between the – MBC, Boxway and Prospect Promotions. – the MBC President said; “Whilst Boxing in the Maltese Islands is very popular and we have one of the highest per capita ratios of practicing boxers in Europe, it is also a fact that we have a lack of qualified and knowledgeable boxing coaches; The Malta Boxing Commission has started a program with a number of UK boxing gyms and promoters to correct this issue; Recently in co-operation with the local Boxway Gym, we have started sending young local boxing prospects to the world renowned TRAD TKO Boxing Gym in London, for training and we will be hosting a number of TKO coaches early in 2012.”

“After these successful discussions with Mr. Paul Graham we are now expanding our horizons to Scotland, it is being envisaged that this year and in the coming year a number of training camps will be held in Malta between Maltese and Scottish Boxers, thus we will be providing  crucial sparing experience to the local boxing athletes”

Boxway Boxing Gym director and licensed MBC promoter, Edwin Micallef explained; the his gym was committed to achieving excellence in the sport and developing the potential of local professional boxers to the full, however one must be realistic about local limitations, a small island has to look beyond our shores and establish partnerships with other countries, gyms and boxing commissions if we are to go forward.

Asked about his views on Maltese unsanctioned boxing, Edwin said; “Unfortunately this is a major problem, backed by over 100 years of boxing tradition in Malta; however we must change and come in line with modern, international norms and standards if we are to preserve and develop this sport locally; I commensurate up to a point with local organizers of unsanctioned boxing, as doing things the proper way, brings along with it financial responsibilities and larger overheads but we must not forget that the safety of the boxer is paramount above all other considerations And unsanctioned boxing, apart from its limitations beyond our shores also carries a risk factor to the well being of the boxer”.  

Photo: Paul Graham

Group Photo: (L to R) Steve Martin, Daniel Micallef, Edwin Micallef, Paul Graham, Karol Grzeskowiak, Clayton Vella and Alexander Zammit

PhotoCredit: Boxway Boxing Gym and Fitness Centre