Halifax Stars

Halifax Stars A FILM & ORAL HISTORY PROJECT BOXING & WORKING CLASS CULTURE IN HALIFAX

KAI FENTON

“The best thing is the fitness gain and the discipline it teaches. Also, the reward of training so hard and having the fight you have been working towards at the end of it all. I would like to go as far as possible in the amateurs and then when my coaches think I am ready, hopefully one day turn over as a professional ...”

ETHAN BROADBENT

“I started boxing to keep myself out of trouble, to learn self-discipline and to better myself. Getting into the ring is exciting and nerve-racking - there is no feeling like it!”

HARLEY ARCHIBALD

“I love the camaraderie of boxing, and the banter and having mates with a common goal of staying healthy and disciplined. It is good, as we aren’t falling into bad habits and hopefully making good life choices.”

LEON DAWSON

“The best thing about boxing is definitely winning a bout. Yeah, I get nervous before a fight, but hopefully I will be world champion someday!”

ASTON LOUCH

“My dad taught me boxing from being about 6 years old. I haven’t had a competitive fight yet, but I would love to make it as a pro boxer ... I love the adrenaline rush!”

STANLEY DALY

“I got into boxing for fitness and then just started to love the sport. The best thing about it is the self-defence, discipline and fitness. I hope I will get to have some competitive fights soon and see where it takes me.”

JOSHUA COLLINS

“Once you step in that ring, in front of all them people, and look your opponent dead in the eye, that's when you know what you have been training for. Boxing is making me, my family and my friends proud as I work and train hard for what I want to achieve.”

LEON CRUZ-WARZING

“The best thing about boxing is punching people with a glove on. It feels good to get in the ring with someone you don't know if you have prepared. In boxing, I plan to just try and aggressively win bouts.”

ARCHIE WAKEFIELD

“I got into boxing doing pad work with my dad. I love everything about it, but I love fight night and the fitness training the best. I’ve had two fights - both times I was confident and excited!”

CADEN JONES

“Boxing keeps your mental health in check. You look good in the mirror! It's all about what you put in - if you work hard, you will reap the rewards. Yeah, I’ve had competitive fights - I feel nervous in the week before the fight, but once the gloves are strapped up, and I'm in the ring, all nerves go once that bell sounds ...”

JACK FERRAND

“The best thing about boxing is the adrenaline rush and the feeling of just being alive! I had a skills bout, and it felt nerve-racking but when I stepped into the ring, I felt calm and focused. Getting into a ring with somebody you don’t know is scary, because you don’t know what level they are on. I hope to be a top boxer one day.”

STEVEN GARBER

“My grandad fought Lennox Lewis and knocked out John Fury (Tyson Fury’s dad) that’s how I got into it. The best thing is the fitness, self defence and discipline. I hope to be world champ one day!”

MICKEY ROWE

“Yeah, I got into boxing because my dad owns the club ... it makes me feel energised. I have had some competitive fights; I do feel nervous but also really excited about getting in the ring.”

RHYS CROWTHER

“Maybe the best thing about boxing for me is my relationship with the coaches - I would consider them as family. They have helped me out so much over the years, not only with the boxing but with my mental health too, and for that I am forever grateful. As an amateur boxer, I hope to go as far as I possibly can.”

FINLAY OKULUS

Finlay’s great-grandad was the legendary boxer and trainer GORDON JONES, who as one of the original members of the Halifax Star Boxing Club, gave the town a boxing heritage and legacy to be proud of.

JOSH CASEY

“I got into boxing for the fitness. The thing I love most is the sparring. I have had two competitive fights ... yeah, getting into the ring with someone you don’t know is nerve-racking, but also exciting!”

WALTER STEWART - ex professional boxer and keen supporter of amateur boxing in Halifax

JAMES COWAN • JONNY MAUDE • CASS VAREY • ALESSANDRO SALAMINO

ROBERT ‘PAZ’ PARADISE • MATHEW WELLS • MICK ROWE

LIAM WALSH - ex professional boxer from Halifax

CHRIS WILD - Halifax Star old boy and now national advocate for children and young people in care

STEVE KIZIS - Halifax Star old boy and campaigner to cement boxing’s legacy in the town of Halifax

Top: ALFIE SINGLETON Below: COLE WALSH

Top: CALLUM SCHOFIELD Below: ERIC HARVEY

Top: HARVEY SPEIGHT Below: HECTOR DROUGOS

Top: HARVEY SALAMINO Below: HENLEY RAMSDEN

Top: JACK WILLOUGHBY Below: LEWIS WRIGHT

Top: KAYNE MILES Below: LILLY HESLIN

Top: MARNI GLENNON Below: MICHAEL ELLIOT

Top: LOUIS BENSON Below: RICH MASON

Top: TERENCE BRANNAN Below: TOM JOHNSON

Top: ROBIN MOSS Below: TYASON NAZHA

TYLER BITNER

TYLER BROCKLEHURST

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS We would like to thank all the people who helped make this such a special project: Mick Rowe and all the team at Halifax Boxing Sport & Fitness Club; Cass Varey and everyone at Hebden Bridge Boxing Club; Josh Sandland and the guys at Halifax Star Boxing Club; Josie McNamara at Northern Powerhouse Boxing Academy; Steve and Ellie Shearn and everyone at Back 2 Basics Old Skool Training; Jonny Maude at Sowerby Bridge Boxing Club; Krysha Greenwood and Sheila Waterhouse for giving us access to ‘Roy’s Boys’ - an essential companion for the history of boxing in this region; Gordon Jones’ widow Carole; Jason Whitaker; Chris Wild; Steve Kizis; Adam Fogarty; Liam Walsh; Walter Stewart and Jimmy First. Also Jack & Tom at Bonfire Films; Ruth and Alice at The Piece Hall, Alan Burnett ... and finally Geoff Brokate our film-maker and photographer!

“Boxing is the sport to which all other sports aspire ...”

BIG GEORGE, Halifax Star Boxing Club A celebration of boxing past and present as we bring together stories and memories of the original clubs, with the hopes and dreams of the next generation of young boxers in Calderdale. email: jeff@verddegris.org Twitter: @verddegris A verd de gris arts community initiative

Halifax Stars A FILM & ORAL HISTORY PROJECT BOXING & WORKING CLASS CULTURE IN HALIFAX

verdegris

The exhibition is open to the public Saturday 29 April – Sunday 28 May 2023 THE PIECE HALL Blackledge, Halifax HX1 1RE The gallery will be open daily 10am-4pm