Interview with Martin Stark, Founder of World Gay Boxing Championships (WGBC)

Introduction

Martin Stark is an author, entrepreneur, keynote speaker, LinkedIn expert, and founder and CEO of the World Gay Boxing Championships. Over the past few years, he had worked hard to overcome the stigmas and homophobia that is prevalent in the boxing industry, and combat sports in general.  Stark has organized two successful WGBC events, one in Sydney Australia and an exhibition event in Chicago, and is looking to grow his promotion in North America. Martin is an advocate for the gay athletes and the LGBTQ+ community, and is making a tremendous impact on people’s lives.

FightMatrix: Tell us about your childhood and upbringing.  How did you first get involved in boxing?

Martin Stark: I grew up in a small town in Lincolnshire, UK. I have always been involved in sport and swam competitively until my mid-teens. I studied at the University of Sunderland and worked in my hometown for a years before migrating to Australia. I started boxing in 2018 to help recover from PTSD. I almost died at the end of 2017 from the rare autoimmune condition Addison’s Disease and that experience reminded me of the dreams I had from two comas in 2006. Boxing helped me deal with painful memories and I fell in love with the sport straight away.

 

FM: When and how did you create the World Gay Boxing Championships (WGBC) league?

MS: I created World Gay Boxing Championships from my bedroom during lockdown in 2020. I wanted to compete in boxing at the 2022 Gay Games. When I discovered that boxing was not on the list of sports, I decided to create WGBC and organize the world’s first boxing competition for the LGBTQ+ community and allies.

 

FM: Who do you consider to be the greatest boxer of all time? Who is the best that you’ve had the honor to watch live?

MS: I consider Muhammad Ali the greatest of all time because of all that he achieved inside and outside of the ring. His courage and leadership speaking out against racism is a constant reminder of the importance of saying something.

Watching Kate McLaren win the Australian title in May 2023 was the best honor. She is a friend and supporter of mine. I know how she trained and worked to prepare for her title fight. It was a privilege to be there when she won.

 

FM: Who is your biggest inspiration in life?

MS: My husband! He puts up with me and is a bedrock of strength. He was at my side as I woke up from my second coma and helped me through several brushes with death. I almost died just before Xmas 2024 and his strength enables me to recover quickly and get back to enjoying life.

 

FM: Why is there a need for the World Gay Boxing Championships in 2025?

MS: Homophobia is a major issue in boxing and a stubborn problem to solve. There is a need for a competition where fighters can compete without experiencing hatred and bullying. There are no out gay/bi males at elite levels of professional boxing. WGBC advocates for positive change and addresses homophobia in the sport while providing events where people do not have to hide who they are.

 

FM: Why is homophobia a major problem in boxing and combat sports?

MS: Our own research shows that over 90% of LGBTQ+ boxers and allies consider homophobia a major problem in boxing. Around 40% of LGBTQ+ boxers have experienced homophobia, and three quarters have heard jokes, slurs, innuendo, or negative commentary about LGBTQIA+ people when training or competing. We are seeing more major boxers and combat sports starts making homophobic slurs with impunity and this shameful behaviour frequently goes unchallenged.

I believe homophobia in boxing and combat sports is getting worse.

 

FM: What can governing bodies, boxing organizations, and leaders in the sport do to address homophobia?

MS: They can take the problem seriously and address homophobic incidents and not give the behaviour a free pass. They can educate themselves and others, support grassroots initiatives, support and run Pride events. They can be visible allies and follow the example of other sports. For example, the Football versus Homophobia campaign in the UK has been running for over 11 years.

 

FM: What challenges and successes have you had so far?

MS: I have had tremendous support from the boxing organizations and leadership in Australia and the World Boxing Council. I have had visible support from allies who are steadfast in their support. We have delivered two successful WGBC events and built meaningful relationships with the boxing community.

One disappointing challenge is a boxing organization (not a governing body) withdrawing a written promise of providing a public statement of support.

 

FM: Why do you say you are the gay Dana White?

MS: In October 2011 Dana said that he wished more gay boxers would come out and in November 2017 Dana vowed to educate UFC fighters on homophobic slurs. For over a decade the UFC under Dana’s leadership took some action to address homophobia. For example, UFC sponsored an entry at the 2018 New York Pride Parade. From 2019 to 2022 UFC celebrated Pride Month and sold Pride merchandise supporting LGBTQ+ charities.

In the last few years Dana has essentially brushed off vile homophobic slurs and incidents from major UFC stars as freedom of speech. Bryce Mitchell recently made comments praising Adolf Hitler and denouncing gay people and Jews. While Dana criticized and condemned Mitchell, he cited freedom of expression and said UFC would not take any disciplinary actions.

As WGBC Founder and CEO I am bringing the leadership urgently needed to speak out and drive the change required to address homophobia and hatred to the LGBTQ+ community in boxing and combat sports. That’s why I call myself the gay Dana White. I am leading an organization that can do something about solving the major problem of homophobia.

 

FM: Have you ever boxed or trained boxing yourself?

MS: I had an amateur fight in December 2021 and loved the experience. I entered the ring at the age of 46 and overcome the challenges of having a rare-autoimmune condition. I loved training for the fight and the friendships I made.

 

FM: Do you have any hobbies besides boxing?

MS: I enjoy writing and recently published my first book Courage: Your Right Hook. I train at the gym 4-5 times a week and love going for long walks.

 

FM: You have successfully delivered two WGBC events, how did they go?

MS: In the words of one of my favourite sitcoms – they were “Absolutely Fabulous”. The inaugural Championships was one of the biggest sporting events of Sydney World Pride. We had the support of Boxing Australia and it was sanctioned by Boxing NSW. We saw courageous LGBTQ+ and ally boxers participate in a world first event supported by the boxing, LGBTQ+ and local community. This is what boxing is all about, people getting involved as participants or fans and enjoying the sport.

Our second and first international event was an exhibition at a LGBTQ+ boxing gym in Chicago. Brave LGBTQ+ and ally fighters showcasing supported by the community showcasing the values of the sport. CBS reported live and the Chicago Cubs invited me to throw the ceremonial opening pitch at their Pride game.

WGBC Belt

FM: Tell us about your bold vision to grow WGBC in North America? This is essential to do so and we would love to hear about this in detail!

MS: The plan is to grow WGBC by sanctioning our own titles and events in North America, and through building relationships with promoters, boxing clubs and fighters. I want to emulate the success of other LGBTQ+ sporting competitions in North America which have many participants and supporters. We will grow organically and hold events that celebrate the boxing and LGBTQ+ community.

 

FM: Who are you partnering with to realize your vision? Who is your partner in charge of streaming your media?

MS: I am partnering with Emmy Award Winner Ronaldo James Henderson who has over 30 years of experience in global sports entertainment and hospitality leadership. He has extensive experience in combat sports and is the lead for streaming and broadcast arrangements.

 

FM: Please explain to us how WGBC will remove barriers and help grow boxing?

MS: I will keep speaking out against homophobia and advocating for systemic change. For example, I want to speak with the leaders of boxing organizations in North America. Nothing will change unless leaders are prepared to have a conversation and talk about homophobia and hatred to the LGBTQ+ community in boxing and combat sports. One of the biggest barriers I face is leaders refusing to have a conversation.

 

FM: Tell us about the LGBTQ+ boxing community.

MS: LGBTQ+ and ally boxers love the sport. There are many out lesbian/bi/queer female boxers at all levels of the sport from amateur to levels to world champions. They inspire me. Their trailblazing courage and determination have removed barriers, advanced equality and
helped the sport grow.

There are LGBTQ+ boxing clubs in several countries, and many LGBTQ+ boxers training and competing all over the world. I know several gay/bi male professional boxers who do not yet feel comfortable coming out. There are millions of LGBTQ+ boxing and combat sports fans.

 

FM: What do you think the future holds for the WGBC?

MS: I am excited about the possibilities in the years ahead. Our future is organically growing the sport by increasing LGBTQ+ and ally involvement and participation in boxing as we hold more events, particularly in North America.

 

FM: Is there anything else you would like our readers to know?

MS: I have three tattooed words on my back: Courage, Fear Nothing. Courage is taking ownership of fear, venturing forwards with confidence and resilience. Boxing inspires courage and helps people become more courageous. Courage is your differentiator.

 

Conclusion

Martin Stark is an advocate for the LGBTQ+ boxing cohort. There are currently barriers and stigmas to being a boxer who is not heterosexual. This is a very underserved population. Something must be done to address the underlying issues. “A primary goal of current national health objectives is to reduce health disparities and adverse health outcomes resulting from social, economic, and environmental conditions (Fredrikson-Goldsen and Kim 2017).”  Additionally, the likelihood of mental distress increases in aging LGBTQ+ individuals.

The Stonewall Rebellion took place on June 27, 1969, when a large group of gay men, lesbians, and transvestites were gathered at a bar called Stonewall Inn, in New York City. On that day, the business was raided by the police; for the first time, gay men, lesbians, and transvestites took a stand and fought back. The Stonewall Riot lasted for six days. “These riots are widely credited with being the motivating force in the gay political movement.” Stonewall led to a wide-range of changes in policy. In the aftermath, homosexuality was declassified as a mental illness and sodomy laws were overturned.

However, homophobia is still alive and well in many sectors of society, including combat sports. Martin Stark has put forward a great effort to bring equality to boxing, and is continuing to make advancements to help the gay community achieve their dreams. The World Gay Boxing Championships organization is looking to grow and expand it’s influence worldwide, ushering a change for the LGBTQ+ community in the boxing industry.