A Deep Dive into Boxing in Malta

a deep dive into boxing malta ucked away in the Mediterranean’s embrace, Malta stands out not only for its historical treasures and stunning vistas but also for its dynamic boxing culture. The island boasts a longstanding tradition in combat sports, which has seen substantial evolution over time. Within the array of gyms across Malta, Sliema Fight Co holds a special place, known for its commitment to the sport and its community of enthusiasts. This blog post sets out to delve into the vibrant realm of boxing Malta, shedding light on its historical roots, the pivotal role of the Malta Boxing Federation, and the contributions of Sliema Fight Co to maintaining Malta’s status as a hub for combat sports excellence. The History of Boxing in Malta: Boxing in Malta traces its roots back to the early 20th century, with the sport gaining popularity among the local population and the British servicemen stationed on the island. Over the decades, it has grown from makeshift ring fights to organized events under the aegis of the Malta Boxing Federation. This organization has been pivotal in nurturing talent, organizing championships, and ensuring adherence to international standards, thereby elevating the sport’s profile on the island. The Malta Boxing Federation: A Pillar of Strength: The Malta Boxing Federation stands as the cornerstone of professional and amateur boxing in Malta. Established with the aim of promoting the sport, ensuring the welfare of boxers, and fostering international relationships, the federation has played a critical role in putting Maltese boxing on the global map. Through its rigorous training programs, certification of coaches, and hosting of national and international bouts, the federation ensures that the spirit and integrity of boxing are upheld. Sliema Fight Co: The Crown Jewel of Maltese Boxing: Amid the various gyms in Malta, Sliema Fight Co distinguishes itself as the epitome of combat sports training. Located in the picturesque town of Sliema, this gym has become the go-to destination for both novices and seasoned fighters. Its reputation as the best combat gym on the island is not unwarranted; it boasts state-of-the-art facilities, experienced trainers, and a welcoming community that fosters growth, discipline, and resilience. Why Sliema Fight Co Stands Out: Conclusion: The tale of boxing Malta is one of passion, dedication, and relentless pursuit of excellence. From its historical inception to the present day, the sport has flourished, nurtured by institutions like the Malta Boxing Federation and gems like Sliema Fight Co. For anyone looking to embark on a journey in combat sports, Malta offers a rich tapestry of history, culture, and top-tier training facilities, with Sliema Fight Co leading the charge as the island’s premier combat gym. Whether you’re a budding boxer or a seasoned fighter, the Maltese boxing scene promises an enriching experience that

Fight Night Recap: Good Vibes Gym Boxing Show

Fight Night Recap: Good Vibes Gym Boxing Show  Edit with Elementor The local boxing scene came alive at the Good Vibes Gym boxing show, featuring thrilling matchups between local fighters and international talent from Portugal. Sliema Fight Co. had three warriors step into the ring, delivering spirited performances and showcasing the grit, determination, and heart we value so deeply. Here’s a recap of the action:   luigi ventura: explosive debut​ Kicking off the night, Luigi Ventura made a memorable debut against a taller, more experienced opponent. Despite taking some heavy shots, Luigi demonstrated incredible tenacity and relentless pressure throughout the bout. His warrior spirit was evident as he pushed his opponent to the limit. While he ultimately lost on points, this was an invaluable experience. With his first fight under his belt, we’re confident Luigi will return stronger, sharper, and even more refined.   Jean micallef: one to watch​ Jean stepped into the ring for an exhibition bout that left the crowd buzzing. The evenly matched contest was a showcase of his impressive skills—excellent head movement, rapid hand speed, and unyielding grit under pressure. One of your youngest on our senior team, but Jean made it clear that he’s one to watch, and we’re excited to see his continued development in the ring.   marik wittke: promising exhibition​  Marik also participated in an exhibition bout, showing great promise against another evenly matched opponent. Trained and supported by his Heavyweight Titleholder brother Drago Wittke, Marik displayed remarkable composure and a well-calculated approach. His well-timed combinations and calm demeanor throughout the fight reflected the hard work put in during camp. The Wittke brothers proved to be a dynamic duo, and we’re eager to see Marik’s continued progression.   acknowledgements A massive thank you to Coach Alex Denisov, whose tireless efforts ensured the fighters were in peak condition, both physically and mentally. His dedication to safe and controlled weight management and fight preparation played a crucial role in our fighters’ performances.   We also extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Good Vibes Gym for hosting this exciting event and for their unwavering commitment to promoting boxing in Malta. A special thanks goes to Roland Sammut of Good Vibes Boxing Gym and Demis Tonna of the Malta Boxing Federation for their exceptional contributions to the local boxing scene. Their dedication and passion have been instrumental in creating opportunities for fighters to shine and grow.   The night was a testament to the heart, skill, and determination of our fighters. We’re proud of Luigi, Jean, and Marik for representing Sliema Fight Co. with courage and sportsmanship. Now, it’s back to the grind as we refine, grow, and prepare for the next challenges in the ring.   Stay tuned for updates on our fighters’ journeys—we’re just getting started.

Kids & Youth Boxing at Sliema Fight Co.

Sliema Fight Co. is proud to now have a full range of boxing classes for the following age ranges: kids: ages 7 to 12 Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridats at 5pm  Held at Sliema Fight Co., Tigne Point Your Coaches: Alex Denisov, Claire Sammut, Jay Rajakariyar and Guilherme Sanchez YOUTH: ages 13 to 17​ Tuesdays at Fridays at 5pm Held at Sliema Fight Co., Tigne Point Your Coaches: Alex Denisov and Guilherme Sanchez

Boxing, Kickboxing & Muay Thai at Sliema Fight Co.

Our adult classes are available for all those aged 17 + and what a line-up we have for you! We now have top instructors in Boxing, Muay Thai & Kickboxing,  For our Live Timetable – please check out our app or the Bookingpage. boxing Instructors: claire sammut, Jay Rajakariyar, guilherme sanches & Alex Denisov Boxing is currently held 7 x per week with all our sessions run by instructors who have been there and done that.  Each of our coaches has their own training style with sessions occuring on mornings, evenings and weekends. Some sessions will be focussed on padwork, others on partner drills, footwork, strength & conditioining and bag work. We have a fully fledged amateur boxing team training at Sliema Fight Co. who spar on Fridays, if you’re interested in competing/sparring, please get in touch with one of our coaches. kickboxing Instructors: Trevor Borg & Calvin Dean Our winning kickboxing team is led by Calvin Dean together with Trevor Borg. Expect a session nearly every day at various times of the day with different focusses including: – Fundamentals– Combinations – Cardio & Conditioning– Sparring Techniques  muay thai Instructor: Kru Ton The Art of Eight Limbs hails from Thailand and we host 3 x sessions per week on Tuesdays & Thursdays at 7pm and Saturdays at 11am. Our newly launched classes are designed for all levels and you’ll find lots of beginners and experienced Muay Thai practitioners alike. 

Amateur Boxing in Malta – A Guide for New Boxers

a guide for amateur boxers looking to start in malta The boxing scene in Malta is a fairly active one and the sport is pretty much run by two major sanctioning bodies: the Malta Boxing Association (MBA) and the Malta Boxing Federation. (MBF). Both groups are set up for the safety of fighters, to celebrate and elevate the sport. Naturally they also have their differences. My experience is that of fighting White Collar and Amateur (under England Boxing) in the UK, Judge and Head Coach within the MBF and finally a Second in the MBA for one Professional Bout. I must say, I’ve worked mostly with the MBF and majority of our amateur boxers will fight via this organisation so I’ve focussed this article mostly on the MBF. We will further focus down on early stage ‘elite’ amateur boxers for this article. Both MBF & MBA have very slightly different age categorisations for this, but generally those aged 19 and above are considered elite (the name has nothing to do with skill level or experience). We’ll talk more about junior boxing at another date. malta boxing association (mba) Malta Boxing Association is part of the WBC and the EBU. It looks after both pro-boxing and a form of amateur boxing in Malta. Boxers who sign up with the MBA can join other federations/play other sports as long as they get approval from the MBA. Even though the MBA has a boxing class called “Semi-Pro”, it is not regarded as professional boxing by international standards and would be more similar stylistically to “White-Collar Boxing“. This organisation, defines an elite Boxer to be “A boxer who reaches the age 19 years within the next calendar year and over to a boxer who reaches 46 years old plus the remainder of the calendar year, or an 18 year old boxer who has elected to box within the elite category” malta boxing federation (mbf) Malta Boxing Federation looks after all IBA-approved olympic-style boxing, which includes boxers wearing red & blue and in some cases – headguards. Many of the great pro boxers you’ve seen had long, successful amateur careers before they turned pro. Once boxers are registered, they can’t fight for any other organization or combat sports, including the MBA, or they risk losing their right to fight in the MBF again. The MBF define an elite Boxer to be “any Boxer 19 years of age or older”. fight duration & equipment The MBA recently said, “We should expect 2023 to be a very busy year for the MBA in Malta, Europe, and around the world.” It has certainly delivered in its promise so far in high level entertaining events broadcasted via FightZone. Both sanctioning bodies have come together to organise fight nights with MBF sanctioned amateur fights early on in the night; closing the night with MBA sanctioned pro fights as the main event and undercards. Every two to three months, there will be some kind of Kickboxing, Muay Thai, Boxing or MMA event in Malta – so fight fans will not be disappointed. Don’t forget that some shows are held outside, usually in the evening and/or the shade to escape the intense heat. During training, it is important to acclimatise yourself to working outdoors to avoid any surprises on the day. Finally, amateur boxers may make a small amount of money from ticket sales but don’t quit your day jobs just yet. boxing shows in malta The MBA recently said, “We should expect 2023 to be a very busy year for the MBA in Malta, Europe, and around the world.” It has certainly delivered in its promise so far in high level entertaining events broadcasted via FightZone. Both sanctioning bodies have come together to organise fight nights with MBF sanctioned amateur fights early on in the night; closing the night with MBA sanctioned pro fights as the main event and undercards. Every two to three months, there will be some kind of Kickboxing, Muay Thai, Boxing or MMA event in Malta – so fight fans will not be disappointed. Don’t forget that some shows are held outside, usually in the evening and/or the shade to escape the intense heat. During training, it is important to acclimatise yourself to working outdoors to avoid any surprises on the day. Finally, amateur boxers may make a small amount of money from ticket sales but don’t quit your day jobs just yet. scoring systems​ The “10-9 Must System” is used to score fights by both the MBF and the MBA. Now, I could write an entire article about the scoring system, so I’ll summarise to give you an introduction. According to the MBF, judges are looking for the following criteria to award points: “Number of quality blows on target area; Domination of the Bout by technical and tactical superiority; Competitiveness” As you can see, scoring is subjective and ultimately up to the judges (of which there are usually three at this level). With this method, each round can be worth up to 10 points for the winner of said round.  The other fighter gets a maximum of 9 points but If a boxer wins a round by a large margin, such as by knocking down their opponent or scoring significantly more quality blows, they might get a score of 10-8 or even 10-7 (at which point coaches/referees should be thinking about calling an end to the bout).  The goal of each boxer is to get as many points as possible during the fight. Each judge will have their own score cards and the winner will be determined by whom those judges have as their individual winner. You may win by a split decision (majority of judges agree on the winner) or unanimous decision (all judges agree on a winner). Please note that a draw is not possible with three judges and three rounds.  If a boxer commits a foul such as hitting below the belt, excessive holding, or hitting after the bell, the referee can penalise with points from that