findings and manifesto
Boxing Doesn’t Just Happen - It’s Held Together by People
Boxing gyms don’t run on training alone. Behind the scenes, people organise sessions, arrange sparring, book fights, manage paperwork, calm nerves, clean up, and look out for each other. Much of this work isn’t paid. Much of it isn’t recognised.
Women and girls often do extra work just to be able to take part. That includes travelling further, paying more, organising things themselves, and filling in gaps where systems fall short.
Being ‘Included’ Can Come at a Cost
Women’s boxing has grown. There is more visibility. More headlines. More ‘firsts’.But progress doesn’t always mean things are easier.
Many women are welcomed into boxing spaces without the support they actually need. In simple terms:
- You can be allowed in
- Without the space being properly built for you
We believe inclusion should mean support, safety, and sustainability, not just access.
The Extra Work You Don’t Always See
Women and girls in boxing often have to:
- Find their own sparring partners
- Travel long distances at their own cost
- Sort matches when no one else does
- Manage jobs, childcare, and training at the same time
- Hold gyms and communities together emotionally
This is beginning to change, thanks to the support of organisations. But this often‑invisible work still keeps boxing going, and it’s rarely acknowledged. No one should be expected to carry the whole gym alone.
It’s Not Just Physical - It’s Emotional Too
Boxing is tough.
But the hardest part isn’t always the training.
Many women feel pressure to:
- Stay positive
- Not complain
- Be ‘easy to work with’
- Represent the sport well
- Inspire others while coping quietly
This emotional work takes energy. And it adds up.
Feeling supported matters just as much as feeling strong.
You Shouldn’t Have to Perform to Belong
Women in boxing are often judged on more than skill.
How they look.
How they behave.
How grateful they seem.
Prove that they deserve to be here.
How visible they are online.
There is no single ‘right way’ to be a boxer. You belong because you show up.
Building a Different Kind of Boxing Space
We believe boxing works best when:
- Care is shared
- Labour is visible
- Support is built in - not expected for free
- Different lives and bodies are planned for
- People aren’t asked to sacrifice everything just to stay involved
We’re here to train.
But we’re also here to look after each other.
Why This Matters
When hidden work is ignored, people burn out.
When emotional labour is expected but not supported, people leave.
When only toughness is celebrated, care gets pushed aside.
We want boxing spaces where:
- Strength and care coexist
- Progress doesn’t rely on quiet sacrifice
- Being included doesn’t mean being exhausted