A North West-based team of two entrepreneurs, a tech wiz, social media expert and a professional boxer have teamed up to support young fighters across the UK with a new social media platform specifically tailored to combat sports.
Fight Division is the brainchild of Miles Monaghan, supported by co-founder and serial entrepreneur Dez Derry, who has invested £250,000 into the project, along with Sam Sanoop (chief tech officer), Lucy Polgar (head of content & media) and Niall Brown (brand ambassador).
Its aim is to provide boxing and martial arts athletes with a platform to generate more income through monetising their social media channels and expanding their following and reach.
This platform keeps fans connected to their favourite fighters and moments through exclusive content, private messaging and subscriptions. Its goal is to foster a sense of community, increase fan loyalty and ultimately share their journey from amateur to professional boxing with a growing and engaged audience.
Elite boxers such as former world champion Lyndon Arthur, champion Harlem Eubank, hot prospect Niall Brown and undisputed Women’s World Muay Thai champion Niamh Kinehan have already joined the platform to revolutionise how fighters connect with fans and monetise their careers.
Monaghan said: “In this digital age, the ability to monetise social media in sport has brought about new opportunities, and Fight Division is embracing these. The journey from being an amateur boxer to professional is long and challenging, particularly financially. Our platform approaches the combat industry from a completely new perspective, by giving fighters a new avenue for engagement, exposure and growth – both professional and commercially.”
Monaghan adds that the platform opens up the future potential to incorporate ticket sales, pay-per-view links and official merchandise, all via a fighter’s Fight Division profile.
The business is also launching a ‘combat community improvement fund’ with the goal of improving facilities and driving participation in sports such as boxing, Muay Thai, MMA, BJJ and more.
Organisations and groups can propose a local project for fans to support and raise funds via a traditional donation method, or a percentage of the subscription Fight Division fighters earn from their profiles can be funnelled back into the fund.
Businesses are also encouraged to get involved at a grassroots level as part of their responsible business programme in a move to increase access to combat sports, particularly in more underprivileged areas.
Derry said: “For decades, amateur boxing gyms have changed the lives of youngsters up and down the country, but it is becoming tougher for many to remain sustainable, particularly during the past five years through the pandemic then the cost-of-living crisis. With Fight Division, we want to make a change and a real difference to the future of these clubs, gyms and talented fighters who just need a financial boost or stepping stone to make the transition to professional.”
Fight Division brand ambassador and professional boxer Niall Brown, who currently boasts a 10-0 pro-boxing record, added: “I’ve been very fortunate to train under fantastic teachers. Firstly, Grand Master Sken and now my boxing coach Pat Barrett, a former European Champion. I have also trained in some brilliant gyms such as Collyhurst & Moston ABC, which had a great vibe, and a fantastic stable of incredible fighters.
“Even though I trained and competed for years without making any money, I’m lucky that the hard work has now paid off, but I can’t underestimate the impact of the great people and facilities I had around me. I want others to have the same opportunities as I’ve had, and when I was asked to support Fight Division, it was one of the easiest decisions I’ve made.”
