Event Steering Group Established To Guide Delivery Of World Boxing Event
December 12, 2024 | by Nabillah Akhtar
An Event Steering Group has been established to advise the work of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the inaugural World Boxing Championships 2025, which will be held at the M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool, 4-14 September 2025.
The event will be the first Elite-level global championships hosted by World Boxing, the new International Federation which has been set-up to ensure that boxing remains at the heart of the Olympic Movement, and will feature competition in 10 weight classes for both men and women.
The nine-person Steering Group is responsible for ensuring the successful delivery of the championships; creating a world class competition environment for participants; and ensuring the event has a positive impact on local communities in Liverpool and Merseyside.
It is made up of representatives from each of the key stakeholders and three independent members selected by an open recruitment process. The three independent members are Jason Harborow, who will chair the group, Hilary Lissenden and 2020 Olympic bronze medallist, Frazer Clarke.
Harborow has a longstanding background in international events. He was the Operations Director for the 2000 Rugby League World Cup and is a board member and Chair of the Foundation at Swinton Lions.
Lissenden is the Assistant Chief Operating Officer (Sport & Active Campus) at the University of East London. She was previously, Head of Community Sport at the Greater London Authority (GLA) and spent nearly five years on the board of England Boxing.
Clarke is a professional heavyweight boxer and will serve as an Athlete Representative on the Steering Group. As an Olympic-style boxer, he competed around the world for more than a decade as part of the GB Boxing squad and captained the Team GB boxing team at the 2020 Olympic Games (held in 2021) where he won a bronze medal.
World Boxing President, Boris van der Vorst pictured with England Boxing CEO, Jerome Pels.
The other six members of the Steering Group represent the key stakeholders involved in the delivery of the World Boxing Championships and include:
- Matt Holt, Chief Executive, GB Boxing
- Jerome Pels, Chief Executive, England Boxing
- Jen Falding, Strategic Lead for Major Events, Liverpool City Council
- Kate Wallace, Major Events Advisor, UK Sport
- Ben Williams, Commercial & Business Development Director, ACC Liverpool
- John Muddeman, Event Director
Jason Harborow said: “I am honoured to take on the role of Independent Chair for the World Boxing Championships Liverpool 2025. This event is a tremendous opportunity to showcase the very best of international boxing, while creating a lasting legacy for Liverpool and the wider community. With the support of a dynamic Steering Group and dedicated partners, I am confident we will deliver an unforgettable experience for athletes, fans, and everyone involved.”
Matt Holt added: “To have the first Elite World Boxing Championships in England is great for the sport and I am sure that all of the boxers in our squad will be very happy that this major tournament is being held on home soil as it will give them a chance to compete in front of family and friends. Liverpool is a city with a great heritage in boxing and I am sure this will be a fantastic event.”
The LOC of the event will be led by MLS Contracts Ltd who have been appointed to plan and deliver the championships. MLS has extensive experience of delivering major events across a wide range of sports, including boxing and recently staged two World Boxing Cup events in Sheffield in January and November 2024.
John Timms, Events Director, MLS said “We are proud to be selected by GB Boxing and its partners to lead the delivery of the inaugural World Boxing Championships in the fantastic M&S Bank Arena, Liverpool. MLS has a real passion for delivering Boxing tournaments, having recently successfully staged the World Boxing Cup Finals in Sheffield, we very much look forward to creating a top-class experience for all those coming to Liverpool next September.”
Further details on ticketing and volunteering opportunities at the event will be published at the start of 2025.
To stay up-to-date on the World Boxing Championships 2025, follow World Boxing’s social media channels at:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/officialworldboxing/
- X / Twitter: https://twitter.com/RealWorldBoxing
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OfficialWorldBoxing
