FEATURE
Sponsor – Shak believes backing talented duo Hanna and Will benefits both their careers and his business .
BIG HITTERS
Boxing talents secure support from top medical services firm
WORDS : DAVE ROBSON PICTURES : TOM BANKS
One to watch – The “ Boro Balboa ” Will Howe turned pro last summer .
They ’ re two of our area ’ s brightest boxing talents – and the boss of a Tees medical firm wants to help them get to the top .
Middlesbrough-based Tees Medical Services – a multi-award-winning occupational health service with clients across sectors and continents – has previously entered the boxing sponsorship ring by supporting Hartlepool world champion Savannah Marshall .
But now the firm ’ s MD Abdul Shakeel , known as Shak , has announced his support for two more talented Tees fighters .
After an impressive amateur career , Middlesbrough heavyweight Will Howe turned professional last summer and immediately won his first two flights , including a bout televised on Sky against Blackpool ’ s Jake Darnell .
Nicknamed the “ Boro Balboa ”, Will , 21 , is tipped as one to watch by fight fans and pundits alike .
And while
Hanna Holden is seven years younger , she , too , is earmarked for great things . Training at Middlesbrough ’ s Phil Thomas School of Boxing under head coach Craig Carney , the Northallerton youngster is fresh from a gold medal triumph at the European Championships .
They ’ re both hugely exciting talents – and Shak says he ’ s proud to be helping their progress by offering sponsorship and assisting with public exposure .
He told Tees Business : “ I believe we have a corporate social responsibility to aspiring young sportspersons throughout the North- East .
“ We want to start a process over the coming months and years where we can become more involved with people like Will and Hanna and help them succeed in their chosen profession .
“ I left school without any qualifications . It ’ s only later in life that you realise education isn ’ t for everyone . To succeed in life , you need a few attributes , including determination and dedication .
“ In William ’ s case , he ’ s a confident , mature , skilled fighter who wants to succeed in life and has a very bright future ahead of him . We want to see him succeed – he just needs the opportunity to do so and that is to be encouraged , not just locally but nationally .
“ We also recognise that Hanna ’ s potential is off the chart . If we can be associated with Hanna
156 | Tees Business