You couldn’t ask to be in a better coaches hands when it comes to WBC. Not only because of their professional approach to the sport and level of experience but also because of their ability to push people to limits they never knew they had whilst allowing them to take things at their own pace. They will ensure you are in comfortable surroundings and do everything to support you whether it’s your first session or you’ve trained for months.

Sports coaches should be someone to look up to, who guide you and support you through your journey and they are true examples of that.

Meet the Coaches

Jason Lowe

Jason has been involved in boxing pretty much most of his life. His dedication to the sport is very apparent and in September 2016 and October 2018 he was nominated and shortlisted as Coach of the year as a finalist for Birmingham Sports Awards. His career dates back to him as a teenager when he had a sparring session with Crawford Ashley at the Henry Cooper gym in London’s Old Kent Road. Crawford went on to become the Central Area, British, Commonwealth and European Champion. Jason met up with Crawford a few years ago at a Carl Froch fight where Crawford recognized him, 24 years later… His passion and love for boxing began early on and he went on to become the EBF Unbeaten Irish Cruiser weight Champion. Now 42, he isn’t about to give it all up though, he will without hesitation spar anyone willing to learn.

His life of boxing has introduced him to some of the worlds boxing legends. He has had the pleasure of interviewing some great names who fought Muhammad Ali; Henry Cooper, Joe Bugner, Smoking Joe Frazier, Brian London, Ken Norton, Leon Spinks, Larry Holmes, Karl Mildenberger Ernie Shavers, George Chuvalo and Jurgen Blin. He has also spent time interviewing Mike Tyson, Evander Holyfield, Tony TNT Tucker, Tim Witherspoon, Frank Bruno, Joe Calzaghe, Ricky Hatton, David Haye, Carl Froch, Chris Eubanks, Nigel Benn, Steve Collins, Michael Watson, Sugar Ray Leonard, Tommy Hearnes, Marvin Hagler, Roberto Duran, Alan Minter, Billy Walker, Jake La Motta,Billy Joe Saunders, James DeGale, Barry McGuigan, and the list goes on futher.

Jason has a vast majority of experience ranging from his career as an ABA boxing tutor and club coach, to being a qualified ABA ringside official and a ABA Child Protection welfare officer. He currently is a boxing and ring sports MC, a professional referee, boxercise coach and corner man qualified in essential first aid.  His refereeing career has just broken the 28 000 round mark and he isn’t looking to stop anytime soon.

 

Mav Akram

Mav Akram was first introduced into the world of boxing 14 years ago in Derby. She was helping a friend, Asif Tair in his boxing gym. He worked alongside the Khan and Fury camp and took Mav to her first boxing show. Little did she know many years later she would be a face on BBC One Ident and Nike (M) commercial as a result of her going on to not only be a boxer but co owning WBC and coaching women of all backgrounds. In 2021 she was crowned winner of the Woman in Sport Award by Muslim Womens Sports awards and in 2022 she was winner of the Health and Fitness award by Sisters in Business. Mav was also selected to take on the role of a baton bearer for the Queens Baton Relay for the Commonwealth Games for her contribution to the sport. 

Mav met Jason in 2014 where he coached her for her first bout. They now not only co own WBC but Jason has continued to coach and guide Mav in all her bouts, in turn resulting in her winning them all.

As well as coaching and running group and 121 sessions at the gym, she also runs sessions out of many schools for both students and mums! Mav has also worked alongside the Royal Birmingham conservatoire and Birmingham City University in training up actors for a theatre play ‘The Sweet Science of Bruising’.

Mav brings a wide range on experience from many different fields into WBC. After graduating in Law she went on to work as a manager for 8 years in human rights and charitable organisations, has worked as a counsellor and is an ex Police Officer for West Midlands Police. She is trained in first aid, safeguarding and child protection.

As well as coaching the women at WBC, she also assists with warming up and cornering the boxers for their bouts. Mav also principally deals with the organisation of the WBC shows, marketing, events, and website management. She has had the pleasure of meeting various names in the boxing world such as Nigel Benn, Anthony Joshua, Amir Khan, Ricky Hatton, Richie Woodhall, Joe Egan, Chantelle Cameron, Tommy Langford and Barry McGuigan.

Mav is also a trained boxercise coach ensuring the club is open for not only those who wish to take part in bouts but also those who choose to take it up as a hobby or for fitness.