Changing Lives One Round at a Time - Boxing Life

From the Streets to Strength - Help Us Change Lives One Round at a Time

Hi, I’m Michael Katsidis, former Olympian and three time world boxing champion. But this isn’t about titles. It’s about giving at-risk youth and adults a fighting chance.

I have experienced the highs and lows on all sides of life. One day the team and I decided to make a change. 

Too many kids are being lost to the streets, the system, and cycles of poverty and crime. I’ve lived that reality. I’ve seen what happens when young people don’t get the support they need and I’ve also seen what’s possible when they do.

Why are we punishing our kids by jailing them for committing crimes in an environment and community we created for them? I’ve personally trialled and tested alternative methods to help at-risk youth, and the results speak for themselves. There is a better way forward, one built on guidance, support, and opportunity.

That’s why I created Boxing Life Pty Ltd a grassroots movement using boxing, mentorship, and community to help struggling youth build resilience, confidence, and purpose.

We’re not just training fighters. We’re forming strong young people, physically, mentally, and emotionally.

What We Provide:

 • Boxing & fitness training to build discipline, confidence, and strength
 • Mentorship from those who’ve walked the hard road and come out the other side
 • Life skills and emotional support to help youth stay on track
 • A pay-it-forward mindset that encourages giving back to the community.
• Participant’s that were once at risk youths will be actively taking part in supervised good will missions amongst the community all funded by local businesses.
• Lived experience of what it’s like to be seen doing good for others in need helping them appreciate and reap the benefit within themselves.

We began ‘pay it forward missions’ when  we launched our first clothing handout for the homeless, led by a friend Harry Watson and I, just before winter hit. That spark grew when Frank Giorgi, Muay Thai champion and Tough Man Heavyweight Division winner joined in to distribute thousands of dollars’ worth of food vouchers to people doing it tough. These donations were generously provided by prominent local businessperson David Marshall, owner of Austump *House Raising and Re-Levelling.

Then on May 24, I stepped into Fred Brophy’s Tent at the Walloon Saloon for a special charity fight, not for glory, but for purpose. The event raised awareness, brought the community together, and officially launched our mission.

$686,127 per youth and $75,602 per adult incarcerated is spent by the Australian Government each year. Thats put money time and energy into the problem and not the solution. 

• Cost per young person: $686,127 per year, or $1,880 per day. & • Total annual cost for youth detention: $218 million. @ • Number of young people in detention: On average, 266 young people are in detention each day. © • Total annual cost for all youth detention in Queensland: $183 million.


Now, we’re ready to grow and we need your help.

Your donation will directly fund:

 • Building our first Boxing Life Pty Ltd training centre
 • Boxing equipment and safe training spaces
 • Food, clothing, memberships  and transport for at-risk participants
 • Expansion of our programs 
 • Our pay it forward missions to the community 
• Funding for post incarceration employment and guidance 

Queensland in 2025 This isn’t just about boxing. It’s about belonging. It’s about second chances. It’s about real change. Every dollar you give helps a young person choose strength over struggle.

Thank you for believing in our community and more importantly, our youth as they are our future.  Let’s form something better, together.

Michael Katsidis
Founder of Boxing Life Pty Ltd
Olympian | 3x World Champion | Advocate for Second Chances