Member Article

European champion recruits local sponsor

A local business is putting their weight behind the North East’s latest sporting rising star to help bring a world title belt to Newcastle.

Mixed Martial Arts (MMA,) 10th Legion European light heavy weight champion and Made 4 The Cage European light heavy weight champion, Richie Knox (28) has been sponsored in a three-year deal by Newcastle based MTrec Recruitment.

The West Denton professional fighter started his fighting career as a 12-year-old amateur boxer and discovered MMA after watching it on TV. He uses a blend of fighting techniques from Muay Thai, Karate, Jiu -Jitsu, Judo, Wrestling and Boxing. The sport requires an incredible amount of time and dedication to become technically proficient as a high level of skill and conditioning is needed in all ranges of combat, from long range kicking and boxing to close range grappling and ground work. It has now evolved into an increasingly popular and mainstream sport which has overtaken boxing in terms of spectators and viewing figures, the UFC – the world’s premier MMA organisation and pinnacle for any fighter can have 20,000+ spectators at live events.

MTrec Recruitment Directors Rob Armstrong and David Musgrave who started the multi-million pound recruitment agency to provide recruitment and training solutions to many of the region’s largest multi-nationals and established SME’s were delighted to be able to help Knox on his way to the top.

“We sponsor lots of good North East causes including the North East Ability Counts Football League for children of all abilities and we’ve also sent teenage boxers from the West End to Greece to further their sporting experiences and it’s nice to sponsor someone we know personally,” said David.

Fellow director, Rob Armstrong agreed.

“Not only is Richie a good friend, he is one of the most talented MMA champions this country has ever had. It’s an added benefit that he is from Newcastle and we will do everything we can to help him achieve his goal of becoming a world champion too.”

The sponsorship deal will help with Knox’s equipment, nutrition, travelling expenses and personal training and medical fees.

“This is a tremendous opportunity for me and I’d like to thank MTrec Recruitment for the faith they have placed in my sporting abilities. The sport is now becoming main stream and people appreciate the time and resources that go into our training and fighting careers. For any professional athlete from any sporting background you need support to compete at an elite level. I couldn’t ask for a better sponsor,” said Knox.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Keith Newman .