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LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug 3, 2023--

Ben Shalom knows what you’re thinking. “Where’s this guy come from? Where the f*** has he come from?” It is the same question that arises when fans come across the 29-year-old’s company, Boxxer, which has emerged as one of the sport’s leading promotions since its inception as Ultimate Boxxer in 2018. Back then, Shalom was just 23, the youngest licensed promoter in Britain. So, where did this guy come from? Where the f*** did he come from? The Mancunian recalls Amir Khan’s outings at the 2004 Athens Olympics as having generated his first memories of boxing, before the “ITV nights” that followed for Khan deepened Shalom’s intrigue in the sport. They were bouts that drew “seven or eight million viewers”, and though Shalom, the 11-year-old boxing fan, could probably not recount those figures at the time, it is telling that Shalom, at 28, does so now. Ricky Hatton vs Floyd Mayweather in 2007 and David Haye vs Nikolai Valuev in 2009 were also impactful for Shalom, the latter fight leaving him “obsessed” with the sport. The entrepreneurial spirit that would give life to Boxxer first shone at university, where Shalom studied law but was “always trying to find a way not to do law”. He would organise club nights and concerts and sell fast food, and that proclivity for business later combined with boxing in part due to Shalom’s friendships back in Manchester. There, a number of his friends boxed – some professionally. Shalom tells The Independent that his desire to step into the business side of the sport came from “really seeing how much the fighters put into it, but how little there was for them in terms of reward. It became obvious to me that the sport was so difficult, so cruel. It’s not like tennis where the best play the best and the rise to the top is meritocratic, it’s not like there’s any sort of infrastructure unless you’re in the top 1 per cent. “Seeing the way events were put on, how sponsors and broadcasters didn’t really want to get involved... I could never really understand it, because for me it was the most admirable profession or sport that you could ever go into. But it had this sort of ‘dirty’ tag, and events felt intimidating. I wanted to get into the business so it was more reflective of the fighters.” Shalom borrowed £10,000 to obtain his boxing promoter’s licence, but money will only get you so far in a business that also deals in respect. With the task of having to win over the relevant authorities and personalities at 23, Shalom credits his “work ethic” and “being genuine, consistent and committed” for his success. “When you look back at it,” he says, “the naivete was good, because if I knew what I knew now, maybe it would have been more difficult to embark on that journey. But I was incredibly passionate, and I think a lot of the boxing fraternity were glad at that point that young people were coming into the sport; there’s not many that actually want to work in boxing. It’s been the same promoters for 40, 50 years – the same families. If you’re brave enough and are coming in with good intentions and a different way of looking at things... Luckily the board recognised that and licensed me – maybe prematurely, I don’t know.” It is one thing to want to effect change, however, and another to actually do it. “I think you do it by putting on events that anyone will enjoy coming to – men, women, anyone,” Shalom suggests. “Making sure that it’s accessible, the pricing’s at a point where people can afford to go, the way it’s presented and the way you run your operation is transparent, so brands and broadcasters want to come into the sport. Also, it’s important to try to break down barriers like these long-winded undercards, the belt system, judging, regulation. If we can achieve that bit by bit, that’s when we’ll create a much better environment.” Boxxer would host tournaments because it was not in a position to sign fighters, its shows just about breaking even thanks to ticket sales and sponsor funding. The promotion’s first TV deal was with Channel 5’s 5Spike, before Boxxer landed a huge deal with Sky Sports in June 2021, drastically improving its funding, ability to sign fighters and put on events. Now Boxxer’s roster boasts the likes of women’s stars Claressa Shields, Savannah Marshall and Natasha Jonas, as well as Liam Smith, Lawrence Okolie and 2020 Olympians Frazer Clarke and Ben Whittaker. The promotion is focused on “diverse signings”, with Shalom playing a key role due to the advantage of being a similar age to the fighters. In 2022, a leaked clip surfaced on Twitter, showing Shalom telling an interviewer – before the interview had officially begun – not to ask questions about Matchroom. The 28-year-old received criticism and support in equal measure after the clip had circulated, but says now: “I don’t think I need to slag off other promoters. In what other sport would you have business owners just going at each other all the time? “I do think it’s funny, and I actually enjoy it, but we’ve got such a job on our hands. Sometimes it’s just a soap opera. To be a great promoter... Look, a lot of attention comes with it, but I don’t think there’s a prerequisite that I need to be famous or a celebrity; I think we need to do the best job by our fighters.” It is a cause to which Shalom is committed with singular focus. “There was massive sacrifice,” he stresses. “I sacrificed all my twenties – not going out, not doing things that a normal person would at my age. If you want to do great things and believe in what you’re doing, you’ll sacrifice everything; I sacrificed absolutely everything, but I don’t see it like that, because I’m doing what I love. This is a dream come true. “I’m young, the other promoters are a lot older than me, I have more energy than ever. Working in boxing is amazing, because when you’re working with boxers, it doesn’t matter how stressed you are or how tough it is for you; it’s always harder for them, so you get so much energy off that. We have a massive responsibility to the sport. I’m not thinking anywhere near about the end; we’re very much at the start of our journey.” Read More How to watch Okolie vs Billam-Smith online and on TV this weekend What time does Okolie vs Billam-Smith start in UK and US this weekend? Conor McGregor reveals how he scored Katie Taylor fight from ringside How to watch Okolie vs Billam-Smith online and on TV this weekend What time does Okolie vs Billam-Smith start in UK and US this weekend? Conor McGregor reveals how he scored Katie Taylor fight from ringside

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A majority of the human body is made up of water, which is why staying hydrated so important. It can be confusing to determine how much the average person should drink in a day, especially in situations like when it’s hot outside or when you’re exercising. There are even consequences to not drinking the right amount of water, such as dehydration or overhydration. The National Health Service (NHS) typically recommends drinking between six to eight glasses of fluid, including water, every day. But the US National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine has determined that an adequate daily fluid intake is 15.5 cups (3.7 litres) per day for men and 11.5 cups (2.7 litres) per day for women. However, this fluid intake accounts for drinking plain water as well as other beverages and food that contain water, like fruits and vegetables. The amount of water one should be drinking each day can also vary depending on the situation. According to the Mayo Clinic, those who are working out should be drinking extra water before, during, and after a period of exercise. This especially goes for any activity that makes you sweat, because drinking water helps replenish the fluid your body lost. People in hot or humid weather should be drinking more water than usual because of how much they’re sweating, which contributes to fluid loss. Meanwhile, in areas with higher altitudes like the mountains, dehydration can become more common. The Mayo Clinic suggests that people lose bodily fluids when they have a fever, are vomiting, or have diarrhoea. As such, it’s important that people are consuming extra water when they’re sick. Other conditions that might require increased fluid intake include bladder infections and urinary tract stones. Feeling thirsty and passing dark-coloured, strong-smelling urine are some of the initial signs that you could be dehydrated. Other symptoms include feeling sluggish, feeling light headed, or having a dry mouth. Drinking milk, water, and fruit juice is also a good way to maintain hydration. However, people should bear in mind the amount of sugar that can be contained in sweetened drinks. Tea and coffee may also help with hydration, though people should try to keep track of how much caffeine they’re consuming. While it’s important to know whether you’re drinking enough water, the Mayo Clinic suggests it’s likely that nothing is wrong with someone’s water intake if they rarely feel thirsty and their urine is clear, or a light yellow colour. It is possible to drink too much, however, it’s rarely a problem for someone with healthy kidneys. Still, overhydration can occur when the body retains or collects too much water. Some athletes who participate in endurance events, especially marathon runners, can be prone to taking on too much fluid. This can lead to water intoxication and dangerously low sodium levels, which is referred to as hyponatraemia. In order to help the body to relieve itself of excess water, as well as relieve pressure on the heart and other organs, doctors may prescribe diuretics or water tablets that promote the production of urine. Read More Irina Shayk reveals how she and Bradley Cooper make co-parenting daughter Lea ‘work’ What is silent reflux? Salon owner with incurable cancer who lost hair in treatment makes customisable wigs

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