Global Fighters’ Union (GFU) Set Up To Look After Fighters’ Welfare

Originally posted on BoxingNews.com | Last updated 1/16/24

A new body has been set up to look after the welfare of fighters from any combat sports called the Global Fighters’ Union (GFU).

Looking after the career of fighters once they have retired is something lacking in major combat sports. Fighters often think about today without having regard for their future once they walk away from their respective sports. The absence of healthcare, poor contracts, and poor management are just some of the reasons why fighters often find themselves still active at the late stage of their careers when they could have walked away.

But now the GFU is hoping to change all that. A group of people from the world of combat sports, including former athletes and managers, have set up the GFU. It aims to ensure that fighters are well informed about health insurance. This is also for contracts and other factors that are ignored in a career to ensure that all fighters can be rewarded for the hard work they have put in.

Two leading names in the GFU are Paul and Stephen Smith. They were former boxers, having fought at super-middleweight and featherweight, respectively. In response to the news, Paul had this to say.

Paul On GFU

“I’m one of four brothers who have all competed in boxing at every level of the sport. Throughout our careers, we’ve experienced first hand 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,” Paul Smith said

The lack of protection for fighters is still evident to this day. Just recently, MMA fighter Ryan Curtis sustained a broken neck and spinal cord in a training session. This resulted in Bellator’s Leah McCourt setting up a GoFundMe for the fighter, hoping to raise £100,000.

He is forcasted to stay in the hospital for five months, but even after his surgery, he is not expected to fight again. He has a two-year-old daughter, which has complicated the situation further. In response, Conor McGregor donated £25,000, but the failure of health insurance has understandably left Curtis in a dire situation.

GFU Needed

“Ryan has suffered a broken back, broken neck and dislocated spine. During this injury, trauma was also caused to Ryan’s spinal cord.The damage is classified as the most severe that can happen to a spinal cord.

“He was rushed to the Royal in Belfast and underwent emergency surgery.“Ryan will never be able to do what he loves, and fight or train in MMA again. A sport he has dedicated his life to from the age of 11. Ryan will be out of work for the foreseeable future. We are trying to take any additional load or stress off Ryan’s family. And [his] daughter by creating a page to raise some funds to help towards rehabilitation. [It is] vital [for] treatment, recovery and supporting his family,” McCourt

This article first appeared on BoxingNews.com and was syndicated with permission.

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