Boxing is Love and Researcher Pello Gutiérrez Freije at the University of Deusto Launch Major Study on Boxing and Identity funded by the Basque Government.

Boxing is Love has launched its first major research project, a study into how boxing shapes personal identity, in partnership with the University of Deusto in Bilbao, Spain.

The project is led by Pello Gutiérrez Freije, a psychology PhD candidate at the university who is also a certified boxing coach and an amateur boxer. It is supervised by Izaskun Orue and funded by the Basque Government.

The research will examine the psychological mechanisms behind boxing's impact on identity development. Boxers who take part will complete three short questionnaires, spaced around five months apart, so the researchers can track how their experiences in the sport change over time and how those experiences relate to identity and personal development.

Spencer Lee Boya, CEO of Boxing is Love said:

"the sport's power to change lives and shape identity is widely recognised within the boxing community but remains under-represented in scientific research. The project aims to address that gap through several academic publications and to raise the profile of boxing's psychological and social value."

We announce how boxers can take part shortly, and encouraged those interested to follow its mailing list and social media channels.