The Global Fighters’ Union
Today marks the announcement of The Global Fighters’ Union (GFU).
The GFU was formed on October 2nd 2022 by a group of former elite champions, political activists, managers and coaches and a few months later was joined by Paul Maloney, acting General Secretary, former Irish amateur boxer and recently retired former leader of the southern GMB Union.
In today’s opening statement from the GFU, Paul Maloney said, “I retired from leading a region of the GMB Union in 2021 having been a trade unionist for more than 30 years. My working life has been dedicated to improving the working conditions of our members. When I retired, I was approached by one or two political leaders – household names actually, who wanted me to work with them in an advisory role on their union relationships, but I knew that wasn’t for me.
I had decided to help run my local boxing club in Epsom and was enjoying that challenge when I was approached by the GFU who showed me their plans.
I immediately knew that this was something I wanted to do.”
Co-founder and deputy chair of Labour in Business, Phil Macauley said, “I was at the Labour conference in 2022 when a business partner of mine Martin O’Shea called me about the creation of a Trade Union for combat sports participants. Martin has worked with a number of world champions and Olympians in boxing and judo, he represents Paul and Stephen Smith as well as Amir Khan among others. It took me about five minutes to agree to help him and Paul
Smith develop the GFU.
In a very short space of time the development of the GFU to becoming a fully fledged Trade Union has been helped by the support of people like Paul Novak and Carl Roper at the TUC and Paul Raven and his team at the PFA who are helping structure the new Union ahead of its official launch.
When Paul (Maloney) joined us as our new acting General Secretary we took a huge leap forward and are now only weeks away from being a fully formed and official Trade Union, created by fighters to fight for fighters.”
Combat sports houses probably the only remaining professional workplace which has no regulation or union representation, no access for those who earn their living from it to normal workplace requirements, no insurance, pensions or free legal and health and safety support.
The GFU will be structured in a similar way to the Musician’s Union where anyone participating or interested in combat sorts can become a member, a union where ability, gender, age, race and sexuality are irrelevant.
Founder members Paul and Stephen Smith, Amir Khan, Steve Collins and a host of other household names will be announcing the official launch of the GFU later this year. The list is a who’s who of fighting champions bringing huge experience to the development of the union. Paul Smith said, “Me and Stephen have direct experiences throughout our careers and those of our brothers in the practices which are the norm for fighters but wouldn’t be allowed anywhere
else.
The GFU will address those practices professionally, methodically and calmly, we will make our case and – unlike failed previous attempts at unions for fighters – we have leading us people with decades of experience in trade unionism and politics at the highest levels.”
Stephen Smith added, “the GFU will be on the side of the fighter at the start of their involvement in combat sports through to when they decide to stop and in their retirement. We will bring all our experience and knowledge and that of all our founders, supporters and members to help improve
the lives of fighters everywhere.”
Former two weight world champion Amir Khan said, “there is no support for fighters, particularly when they retire, they are on their own. There is nowhere to take serious issues when they arise.
I’m excited to be a part of the GFU and look forward to helping build its membership worldwide in the coming months and years.”
Health and Safety director Hassan Baig, a surgeon who also runs the World Karate and Kickboxing Association added, “The GFU plans for improving the mental and physical health of everyone involved in combat sports are taking shape and will have an immediate effect once we launch.
For example, my conversations with female fighters have shown a number of areas needing urgent improvement and there are many other steps we will be taking.
We know how essential the GFU is going to be to the future well-being of participants in combat sports and I’m excited to be a part of it.”
Co-founder Martin O’Shea said, “What we want to make very clear is that we are not here to create or seek disputes with any of the current bodies in combat sports, whether it is promoters or boards of control, doping bodies, managers or coaches.
We believe that the GFU will be a hugely positive force. Our goal is to work positively with everyone who has an interest in combat sports to the benefit of all.”
