2024 World Gay Boxing Championships announced for Chicago with Two LGBTQ+ Trailblazers
[Sydney, October 23, 2023] – Following its triumphant inaugural event earlier this year at Sydney World Pride, the World Gay Boxing Championships (WGBC) will make its return in 2024. The event has this week been announced that it will be held at Strong Hands Gym in Chicago, coinciding with Chicago Pride on Thursday, June 20, 2024.
The second World Gay Boxing Championships will be spearheaded by two LGBTQ+ trailblazers, founder Martin Stark and Out100 fighter Diego La Valle Cevallos-Garzon bringing the unifying power of boxing to one of the largest and most popular pride events in the United States.
Diego La Velle Cevallos-Garzon is the owner of Strong Hands Gym, which proudly bills itself as the first LGBTQ+ gym in Chicago. Cevallos-Garzon features in this year’s Out 100 list, the longest-standing large-scale list recognizing LGBTQ+ people for their achievements, accomplishments, and impact on culture and society. Diego is a Black gay man who has won over 111 amateur fights and nationally ranked 19th. He created a safe space for people across a spectrum of marginalized identities, including LGBTQ+ people, disabled individuals, and people of colour.
World Gay Boxing Championships founder Martin Stark delivered the world’s first boxing competition for the LGBTQ+ community and allies as part of last February’s Sydney World Pride. Cevallos-Garzon and Stark are organising next year’s event to inspire positive change in boxing and get more rainbow people involved in the sport, whether that be as participants or fans.
Stark says “I am excited about partnering with Diego and holding WGBC at Strong Hands Gym in Chicago. It exemplifies the heart and spirit of both boxing and the LGBTQ+ community welcoming all. I am thrilled the Championships are taking to the United States and can’t wait to see sporting history happen there!”
More information about the second World Gay Boxing Championships will be released in the coming months.
For interviews with Martin Stark and Diego La Velle Cevallos-Garzon, please contact Nicki Price nicki@pricelessmedia.com.au
ABOUT MARTIN STARK
Two-time Linked In LGBTQIA+ Top Voice and entrepreneur Martin Stark is a leading inspirational speaker who encourages people, teams and organisations to employ courage and inclusivity as a way of life. Featured in CNN, The Guardian, BBC Sport, and ABC News, Martin is the founder and CEO of the not-for-profit company World Gay Boxing Championships, which he set up to disrupt homophobia and transphobia, and lead change in the sport. Martin delivered the worlds’ first amateur boxing competition for the LGBTQ+ community and allies in February 2023 as part of Sydney World Pride.
Martin is also a seasoned commercial negotiator and Supplier Diversity Expert with 15-years’ experience as an IT Strategic Sourcing Leader. He was diagnosed with Addison’s disease in 2006 shortly after having been placed in two induced comas and living through his worst fear – a tracheotomy. Having undergone more than 70 hospital admissions and four major operations, Martin is passionate about health and wellbeing, and his near-death experiences have driven him to strive to be part of the changes he would like to see in the world.
ABOUT DIEGO LA VELLE CEVALLOS-GARZON
Diego has over 10 years of Personal Training experience, and over 15 yrs of Boxing experience. Diego has trained and prepared a large amount of big UFC stars for competition. Jessica Pene, Jens Pulver, Robbie Lawyer are a few of many high-profile athletes trained by Diego. Diego has won over 111 amateur fights including the Ringside tournament and was nationally ranked at 19. As a NASM Certified trainer with an extensive background in boxing, Diego’s training methods and results are considered groundbreaking. Diego hopes that by being openly gay he will be able to provide a sense of comfort and support to the LGBTQ community as we continue to stand as one.