Breaking Barriers: Muslim Women Boxing Coaches Championing Change in the Ring
Birmingham boxing coach Samera Ali and others are revolutionizing the sport by empowering Muslim women and youth through boxing, recently honored at the Muslim Boxing Awards.
Empowering Muslim Women in Boxing
Samera Ali, England Boxing's first Muslim female director, was awarded the LB Muslim Female Community Impact Award 2025 at the Muslim Boxing Awards in Birmingham. The event, held at the Grand Botanical Suite on March 22, celebrated trailblazers fostering inclusivity in boxing. Ali emphasized, "Women and Muslim women deserve a place in boxing. This recognition is for every girl told she doesn’t belong in the ring."
Changing the Game
Haseebah Abdullah, a coach at Smethwick’s Windmill Boxing Gym, was also honored for successfully advocating relaxed dress codes, enabling more Muslim women to compete. "The real reward is seeing women gain confidence and shatter stereotypes," she said. The awards, co-hosted by legends Amir Khan and Johnny Nelson, spotlighted boxing’s power to inspire youth. Khan noted, "Events like this steer young talents toward the ring, not the streets."
From Streets to Glory
Super Bantamweight winner Shabaz Masoud shared his journey: "Boxing gave me discipline and a future." The ceremony also highlighted boxing’s role in reducing youth crime—a Sport England study found a 60% drop in violent crime among participants.
Global Inspirations
Saudi Arabia’s Ziyad 'Zizo' Almaayouf, a rising pro boxer, reinforced the night’s mission: *"It’s about showing the next generation they belong here."**
Impact Beyond the Ring
Event sponsor Legal Blows underscored their goal: *"Gloves over gangs—if one child chooses boxing, we’ve won."**
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