Global Fighters' Union Launched With Help Of Ex-Boxing Champions, Aims To 'Elevate Standards Across Combat Sports'

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https://www.mmanews.com/news/global-fighters-union-launched-with-boxing-champions-combat-sports

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While mixed martial arts has long been one of the fastest-rising sports in the United States and worldwide, it’s failed to replicate such growth in regards to the rights afforded to fighters.

The UFC is widely credited for developing the sport and its popularity to the level it is today, but its fighters remain some of the athletes with the least labor rights in sport. That fact is often put down to their employment as independent contractors, something that is frequently cited as the major hurdle preventing the formation of a united fighters’ front.
Issues such as pay, healthcare, and contractual freedom were highlighted prominently by Francis Ngannou in 2023. But even with the praise surrounding his efforts, “The Predator” has appeared less than optimistic about the creation of a union.

But, with the help of some notable former boxers, a specialist trade unionist, a political activist, coaches, and managers, a British-based consortium has begun a quest to “elevate standards across combat sports” globally.

Global Fighters’ Union Created To Combat ‘Universal Challenges’

In a press release sent to MMA News, the launch of a fighters’ union was announced, with the creation being branded a “historic milestone” in the history of combat sports.

“Combat sports is one of the only remaining professional workplaces that has little regulation and no union representation,” the release reads, “For those who earn their living from the fight game, they are often excluded from accessing the benefits of standard workplace requirements including insurance, pensions, and free legal and health and safety support. The GFU is already fostering a vibrant community to connect fighters globally through exclusive events and seminars led by industry leaders - marking a significant step in championing the rights and well-being of fighters on a global scale.”
The organization, named the Global Fighters’ Union (GFU), is described as the “brainchild of a distinguished consortium comprising former elite champions, political activists, managers, coaches, and entertainment executives.” Their goal? To bring together fighters from around the world in the battle against the “universal challenges” that exist in combat sports.

Among the founders are boxing brothers Paul and Stephen Smith. Paul, the older of the two, is a former two-time British super-middleweight champion and challenged three times for the world super-middleweight title. Stephen, meanwhile, competed for both the IBF and WBA super-featherweight world championships.

In the release, “Real Gone Kid” touted the upcoming work of the newly created GFU, which will launch as an official trade union in March 2024.

“I’m one of four brothers who have all competed in boxing at every level of the sport,” Paul Smith said. "Throughout our careers, we’ve experienced firsthand practices which are the norm in combat sports - but ones that wouldn’t be allowed in any other profession. The GFU will address those practices to make combat sports a safer, better, fairer business for all involved.”

Anyone participating or interested in combat sports, be it boxing, MMA, or other disciplines, are able to become GFU members regardless of their ability, gender, race, or location.

The release details that athletes who join will receive a number of services, including contractual advice, improvements in pay, and expert guidance on factors such as pensions, insurance, and retirement planning.

In addition, the GFU is promising free legal advice, educational programs, and a priority on health and safety through partnerships with industry experts.

What Separates The GFU From Other Failed Attempts To Unionize?

While the GFU is marking its creation as a crucial day in the continued development of combat sports, the consortium behind it aren’t the first to attempt such a feat.

But although others have sunk, the GFU expects to swim thanks to the involvement of a key figure in Paul Maloney, an ex-Irish amateur boxer and the former Leader of the Southern GMB Union.

“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 union members,” Maloney said in the press release. "On retirement, I was approached by several political leaders who wanted me to work with them as an advisor, but instead I decided to run my local boxing club in Epsom.

“When the GFU approached me and shared their plans, I immediately knew this is what I wanted to do,” Maloney continued. "We are working with the TUC on the final stages of making the GFU an official union which will see us launch officially in the spring. Today’s announcement is to make everyone aware of what we are doing, so we can prepare for our new members”

Also co-founding the union is Phil McCauley, a political activist for the Labour Party who sits on the the Executive Committee for Labour in Business.

With notable promoters and combat sports bodies previously pushing back on attempts to unionize, McCauley insisted that the GFU is looking to work with governing bodies in a positive manner.

“We will be working inclusively with all forms of combat sports, all races, genders and ability levels. What we want to make very clear is that we are taking a positive approach, and are not here to create - and nor will we seek - disputes with any of the current bodies in combat sports, whether it is promoters or boards of control, doping bodies, managers, or coaches.”

The most prominent failed attempt at forming a union came in 2016, when the Mixed Martial Arts Athletes Association (MMAAA) was launched by MMA stars Georges St-Pierre, Cain Velasquez, Donald Cerrone, TJ Dillashaw, and Tim Kennedy.

While the organization sought the same rights afforded to athletes in other sports, it quickly collapsed in 2017 following a brief period of excitement. According to Kennedy, the lack of fighters willing to join through fear of repercussions from their organization led to the MMAAA’s death.

The newly created GFU will hope to avoid the same fate as it begins its journey toward creating a successful union for fighters across combat sports.

In the release, “Real Gone Kid” touted the upcoming work of the newly created GFU, which will launch as an official trade union in March 2024.

“I’m one of four brothers who have all competed in boxing at every level of the sport,” Paul Smith said. "Throughout our careers, we’ve experienced firsthand practices which are the norm in combat sports - but ones that wouldn’t be allowed in any other profession. The GFU will address those practices to make combat sports a safer, better, fairer business for all involved.”
Anyone participating or interested in combat sports, be it boxing, MMA, or other disciplines, are able to become GFU members regardless of their ability, gender, race, or location.

The release details that athletes who join will receive a number of services, including contractual advice, improvements in pay, and expert guidance on factors such as pensions, insurance, and retirement planning.

In addition, the GFU is promising free legal advice, educational programs, and a priority on health and safety through partnerships with industry experts.

What Separates The GFU From Other Failed Attempts To Unionize?

While the GFU is marking its creation as a crucial day in the continued development of combat sports, the consortium behind it aren’t the first to attempt such a feat.

But although others have sunk, the GFU expects to swim thanks to the involvement of a key figure in Paul Maloney, an ex-Irish amateur boxer and the former Leader of the Southern GMB Union.

“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 union members,” Maloney said in the press release. "On retirement, I was approached by several political leaders who wanted me to work with them as an advisor, but instead I decided to run my local boxing club in Epsom.

“When the GFU approached me and shared their plans, I immediately knew this is what I wanted to do,” Maloney continued. "We are working with the TUC on the final stages of making the GFU an official union which will see us launch officially in the spring. Today’s announcement is to make everyone aware of what we are doing, so we can prepare for our new members”
Also co-founding the union is Phil McCauley, a political activist for the Labour Party who sits on the the Executive Committee for Labour in Business.

With notable promoters and combat sports bodies previously pushing back on attempts to unionize, McCauley insisted that the GFU is looking to work with governing bodies in a positive manner.

“We will be working inclusively with all forms of combat sports, all races, genders and ability levels. What we want to make very clear is that we are taking a positive approach, and are not here to create - and nor will we seek - disputes with any of the current bodies in combat sports, whether it is promoters or boards of control, doping bodies, managers, or coaches.”

The most prominent failed attempt at forming a union came in 2016, when the Mixed Martial Arts Athletes Association (MMAAA) was launched by MMA stars Georges St-Pierre, Cain Velasquez, Donald Cerrone, TJ Dillashaw, and Tim Kennedy.

While the organization sought the same rights afforded to athletes in other sports, it quickly collapsed in 2017 following a brief period of excitement. According to Kennedy, the lack of fighters willing to join through fear of repercussions from their organization led to the MMAAA’s death.

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@Steven_McTowelie

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here we go again GIF by Blessthefall

Good luck to them.

My honest wish is that people didn’t suck so much and weren’t so greedy. Then we wouldn’t need any unions, lawyers, any of that shit.

Treat each other fair and well without forced intervention…what a fucking wild concept! :rofl:

Nobody wants fairness, they want the advantage to be theirs.

I hope fighters get what they deserve, I also hope a union doesn’t become an issue ever and ruin shit from the other side of the table. But that’s a better alternative at the end of the day than continuing to just pad Dana and Ari’s accounts.

Pumped for the first UFCFA strike.

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knew i could count on you