FEATURE
World champion - Savannah Marshall will also be fighting simultaneously in the Professional Fighters League ( PFL ).
Prospect - Teenager Hanna Holden is also backed by TMS . even more . We will always do our best to accommodate clients , even if they ’ re operating in different time zones .
“ We recently secured a very large contract with manufacturing sites across Teesside which we ’ re pleased about , not least because we went through rigorous tendering processes , interviews and inspections to be awarded the contracts that will become live later this year .”
But just as important as business success for Teessider Shak is giving back to the community – and that ’ s where his support for Savannah comes in .
Married for 33 years in November and with two grown-up sons , sports fan Shak sponsored junior footballers Boro Rangers U13s to their 2021-22 County Cup triumph and is now backing Saltburn Under-9s for the 2023-24 season .
For the past four years , he ’ s also sponsored Circus Starr – the “ circus with a purpose ” that brings Big Top fun to disadvantaged children and families .
“ Hand on heart , I believe that if you give charitably for the right reasons , it will repay you three times over ,” he says .
But watching TV coverage of Savannah Marshall fight Claressa Shields last October for the world middleweight boxing championship proved a gamechanger .
He told Tees Business : “ I felt she was such an inspiration , I had to get in touch with her . I explained who we were and asked if she would allow us to sponsor her – I just knew we would work well together .
“ We were a main sponsor for her fight with Franchon Crews-Dezurn on July 1 2023 , at the Manchester Arena , when she became undisputed super-middleweight world champion . I was ringside with my wife and two sons in Manchester and I was mesmerised – it was an extraordinary night .
“ Post-fight , we ’ ve kept in touch and realised we had a lot in common . We are passionate about working with the community and helping those who are most disadvantaged .
“ I feel that I , and this company , are fortunate to have her as a friend and ally – we feel she ’ s given us the strength to fight new ground and raise the profile of the Teesside area .”
Savannah was recently special guest at the InspiraTees event , organised by Tees Business , sponsored by TMS and which revealed this region ’ s top 30 business leaders .
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“ As a business , we want to work with the very best we can to lift the profile of the Teesside area .”
But it ’ s not just Savannah who Shak thinks is knockout – he ’ s backing two other boxers too .
An event is planned later this year featuring Savannah , 14-year-old England international Hanna Holden and 21-yearold Middlesbrough heavyweight Will Howe , who ’ s currently being trained by Tyson Fury ’ s uncle , Peter Fury .
Shak explained : “ As a business , we want to work with the very best we can to lift the profile of the Teesside area .”
Just like Savannah ’ s “ Off The Canvas ” project , which aims to improve the physical and mental health and wellbeing of children aged three to 11 , Shak says it ’ s about “ lifting the aspirations of young people – helping them step out of negative and dark shadows and finding success in ways other than the conventional education system .”
He added : “ I think we ’ ve demonstrated how we ’ ve given back to the community over several years and we will continue to support our communities , because they are our number one priority .”
The voice of business in the Tees region | 81