Mark Lyson helps combat knife crime
Top Referee, Mark Lyson, who was the third man in the Ring for Tyson Fury vs Dillian Whyte mega fight at Wembley, is championing a lifesaving campaign called: “Real Men Don't Carry Knives,” to dissuade youngsters in inner cities, from this dangerous action.
Mark helps with coaching at the Anfield Boxing Club in Liverpool, established and run by Alan Walsh. Their aim to get youngsters off the streets, steering them away from crime, drugs and from carrying knives. The slogan Real Men Don`t Carry Knives, is embossed on shirts and shorts. Mark says the coaching is to instil self-worth, dedication, direction, purpose, and pride in the youngsters.
A recent special treat was when WBC Ambassador David Walker sent the club some World Boxing Council kit and a pair of Reyes boxing gloves, which have been put to very good use.
Alan, who is a social worker, gives talks and asked Mark to do likewise.
Mark, who has worked in the Prison Service for more than 31 years, is especially well qualified to advise youngsters about the tragedies and dire consequences which result from knife fights, because within a vicious circle, the family of the perpetrator and the victim suffer grievously. A life may be lost, and then there's a long sentence for the person who's responsible.
Mark said: “There are other ways to deal with problems. It doesn't cost a penny to be kind. Don't let bullies pick on people. Bullies are cowards. Some kids try to use excuses saying I have to have a knife because everybody has one. We tell them, it doesn't make you tough to have a knife and it doesn’t make you a coward to back off or run away if you are threatened with one.
“We have classes in the afternoons, and we try to put the youngsters on the right path. We try to teach about the consequences of this crime, which leads to prison and significantly affects employment prospects in the future. If an attack happens, we show kids how to help the victim, by taking off your shirt and applying pressure with your hands to save a life, advising them not to try and pull the knife out, but to immediately call emergency services.” Even if this message gets through to one person, it can save a life and give hope as well as direction to a bright future.”
Mark himself spent his childhood in Liverpool and started boxing aged eight. His mother is from Liverpool and his father was in the US Airforce. The family settled in the City, but then Mark had the opportunity to go and live in North Dakota, USA. He joined the Williston Boxing Club, boxed in the Golden Gloves tournament, and became friends with Virgil Hill. Virgil won a silver medal in the 1984 Olympics and went on to become World Light heavyweight and cruiserweight champion.
With his own wealth of experience in boxing, Mark teaches youngsters to think rather than fight and to treat boxing like a type of chess match. BTW, he`s also a world class boxing referee!
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