Liverpool youth worker becomes boxing champion

A Liverpool boxer is the new British Super-Flyweight champion – and is also a community champion in Toxteth.

Marcel Braithwaite won a return bout against Ijaz Ahmed, from Birmingham, after their first fight in March ended in a draw. The draw meant the British title would remain vacant.

The rematch saw the two meet in the Holiday Inn in Birmingham, the home city of Ahmed. Marcel told the ECHO: “I was on top of the world. It was a childhood dream that I achieved as some people go their whole life trying to achieve the Lonsdale Belt.

“I felt successful and accomplished. It put a lot into perspective and made me realise how far I’ve come, a realisation, I have four belts now, my fourth title.”

Since his last fight against Ahmed, the draw in March, Marcel won the Commonwealth title. On Friday he put his title on the line and came away victorious, adding the British Super Flyweight title belt to his Commonwealth title.

Marcel added: “I found my openings in the first fight and caught him, but didn’t have the fitness to follow through and finish the job. This time round I had the shots, and due to the pre-fight training I knew I could finish the job, and stopped him in the ninth round.

“All in all it manifested perfectly. I boxed nine rounds; (have) not got a mark on my face, won the title and won by knockout, which is pretty much perfect.

“Everyone is made up for me; family and friends. It’s hard to describe, but it’s created a really positive attitude for us, and even in the community”.

Although back in training since Monday, Marcel is still enjoying his win. He remains focused and intends to keep his commitment levels constant. Marcel’s commitment to his community is constant too as outside of boxing, for over a year, he has been working as a detached youth worker, helping young people on the streets.

Marcel said: “Not all young people on the streets are getting themselves in trouble, it can just be the case a youth club is not for them, but they still need to be engaged. It’s good to be a positive influence in the community engaging with people on a personal level, being able to help.

“It could simply be speaking to someone who needs someone to speak to. Pointing them in the right direction, or getting them in touch with the right people to be involved in things they want to be doing, but did not know who or how to contact them.

“Going forward I will be getting involved in more community work by setting up projects around physical and mental health and wellbeing. These will be free to access for people from the age of 16 and upwards”.

Marcel’s future projects will see him working with like-minded people to help young people across the Liverpool City Region, especially in Toxteth where he grew up. This will take place in various venues.

His manager at Golden Gloves Boxing (GGB), Wayne Smith said: “The first fight I got 19 days notice for it, he took the fight, because I knew Marcel’s ability and he could beat him on 19 days notice. This time we had time, a full training camp and we worked on things.

“We did not want it to go to the judges; he stopped him in round nine. This is what we worked on in training, the shots that stopped him.

“Marcel has got options now he’s ranked highly in world organisations, ranked number one in the country and Europe. He either defends his belts or goes for a world title, but he should enjoy his victory and then we go again.”

GGB also had four boxers in the National Development England Finals at the weekend and came away with two silver and two bronze medals. Wayne added: “We have had a good weekend”.

Marcel knows many who have won this belt have gone on to win world titles. He said: “Now I’m eligible to fight for a world title.

“I will sit with my manager and the team and we will put a plan in place. From here it just gets bigger and better”.