Launch Event: Friday 29 August 2025 / 6–8pm / St George’s Hall While the World Boxing Championships take place in Liverpool, Culture Liverpool, in partnership with Open Eye Gallery and England Boxing, is celebrating grassroots boxing at its core through a new exhibition at St Georges Hall.
Unsung Heroes features portraits from 19 individuals nominated by local boxing clubs and gyms with a new exhibition alongside action shots and a short film, capturing the spirit of 16 local boxing clubs.
Photographers Emma Case and Katie Richardson, alongside filmmaker Susannah Fletcher, have captured their portraits and stories, highlighting the vital voices shaping Liverpool’s boxing community. This exhibition offers a unique insight into the faces and stories of those creating a lasting impact and legacy within local clubs.
Open Eye Gallery's Head of Social Practice Sophie Mahon comments: “This exhibition offers a unique insight into the faces and stories of those creating a lasting impact and legacy within their local clubs and communities, capturing the spirit, resilience, and impact of the sport at its roots.
As this project has made clear, at a grassroots level, boxing is about far more than competition. These clubs offer safe spaces, structure, and support, especially for young people, fostering resilience, self-belief, and connection. They are places where confidence is built and where champions are measured not only by medals, but by the positive change they inspire.”
Here's what the project participants said: Joan Stevenson (Everton Red Triangle): It's really brilliant for the kids.They come in and sometimes they're scared, or they've been bullied, or for whatever reason to walk through that door takes some guts. And then within a week, they're all pals together. The coaches are role models for them and then they become their mentors.
Chris Gardiner (Wallasey ABC): It might have a bit of a bad reputation 'cause it involves punching people, but it's the best sport because it allows you to apply yourself, get respect for other people, and the most important thing, respect for yourself. And if you’ve got self-respect, you carry yourself better, don't you? And you respect other people better.
Lucas Dube (No Limits ABC): This is more than just sport, for me it's a sense of community. I'm in here every day. It's not just a sport or a hobby or a job. It's an essential part of my character, and I wouldn't be the person I am had I not walked into this gym as a child. Katie Richardson is a Warrington-based sports photographer specialising in capturing the raw energy and emotion of grassroots athletes and community sports. With a keen eye for dynamic moments, Katie has built a reputation for telling compelling stories through her lens, highlighting determination, teamwork, and local pride across sporting events in the region. Katie is a disabled artist and first worked with Open Eye Gallery as a participant through a project with Community Integrated Care. Since this time Katie has gone on to work professionally in sports photography and now, as a commissioned artist working with Open Eye Gallery.
Emma Case is a Liverpool-based photographer known for her socially engaged and community-driven practice. With a background in documentary and portrait photography, her work often explores themes of identity, belonging, and grassroots culture. Emma has led major projects such as The RED Archive, celebrating Liverpool FC supporters.
Susannah Fletcher is a multimedia practitioner working across visual and audio storytelling. With a background in Fine Art Photography (BA) and more recently an MA in Documentary Filmmaking, Her practice is rooted in a deep passion for people’s stories, exploring character and emotion through an empathetic lens. Focusing on portraiture and music-based documentary, Susannah is particularly inspired by the music scene and cultural life of Liverpool. She sees the city as a living presence in her work, capturing its energy, complexity, and humanity through layered, observational storytelling.
The portraits and film are on display at St George’s Hall – Stable Gallery from 29 August to 20 September 2025, Mondays – Saturdays, 9am – 4:30pm. Free entry for all.
With special thanks to all participating clubs: Anfield boxing club, Croxteth ABC, Everton Red triangle ABC, Gemini ABC, Marsh Lane ABC, Marybone ABC, No Limits ABC, North Mersey ABC, Salisbury ABC, St.Helens ABC, Tower Hill ABC, Transport ABC, Wallasey ABC, Walton ABC, Waterloo ABC, Birkenhead Venture.
Images: Katie Richardson