Action hero’s world record sparring bid to support Liverpool’s Weapons Down Gloves Up charity

Liverpool anti-crime charity Weapons Down Gloves Up is hosting a 24-hour non-stop sparring event that could end up a Guinness World Record.

Actor, singer and action hero Alfred McArthur is taking on the challenge to stay in the ring for a full day and night at Old Swan Amateur Boxing Club between 10am this Friday through to 10am on Saturday.

Officials from the well-known record-breaking authority will be at the club to adjudicate the sparring marathon, which has never been done before.

As well as being a possible World Record Breaker, the bid will see all proceeds from the event going to the WDGU charity, which aims to break the cycle of violence and gang culture by giving young people discipline and self-esteem through sport and steering them on a more positive path through education, apprenticeships, and employment. And it will give people – including youngsters – the chance to pit themselves against the former serviceman and help him succeed in the incredible feat.

Andrea Achilleos, operations manager for WDGU, winner of Sports Hero at The Guide Liverpool’s first-ever Heroes awards last year, said:

“We’ve got Merseyside schools, local authorities and fighters from the 60 partner gyms across the region coming in to spar against Alfie, and we’d love as many people as possible to come along and take part. It’s the chance for people to take part in a World Record attempt, and just to enjoy a really fun and exciting day and maybe find out for the first time what it’s like inside a boxing gym.”

Credit: Weapons Down Gloves Up/ Copy Media

“The money raised will help us to give more kids a chance and change lives. Everything we do relies on donations and people’s support and we are currently doing as much as we can with what we have. But we need more money to carry on doing the work we do and, hopefully, more.”

Weapons Down Gloves Up was approached to host the 24-hour history-making event via the Royal Navy, whose efforts to guide young people along the right path are supported by McArthur, who spent 17 years in the army, finishing his career with the Scots Guards.

He left the army in 2024 and has gone on to become a singer and actor, while his expertise in martial arts, karate and boxing have helped him foster action hero roles and co-direct and star in military-style TV shows like Escape: UK, drawing on his experiences as an elite soldier to lead a mission to rescue a celebrity hostage and going against formidable adversaries including the Special Forces.

Alfred turned his back on offers from Hollywood.

He says:

“My focus is on helping young people change direction in life. Through my initiative, The Real Street Diary, I work with young people to help them step away from gangs, violence, and drugs—giving them structure, discipline, and a real second chance.

“It’s about showing them that their past doesn’t define them and that there’s always a way forward if they’re willing to take it.”

A philosophy that fits in well with Weapons Down Gloves Up.

He went on to add:

“It was Alfred’s idea to do the 24-hour sparring event and he reached out to us via the Royal Navy who said he wanted to be involved with us. Alfie lost one of his friends to knife crime years ago and so it’s something close to his heart.

“What he’s doing is superhuman, even people at Old Swan ABC say they can’t imagine anyone doing that.

“We’ve got GB Olympic boxer Odel Kamara coming along too … it’s going to be huge.”

The charity is asking for a minimum of a £5 donation for kids to spar for one round with Alfred, and a minimum £10 for a spar session – 2 x 3-minute rounds – for adults.

People can stay as long as they like and take part in as many rounds as they like. And the event will be shown live for the full 24 hours.

Andrea says the event will be a massive support for the charity which was started in 2019 and whose work and its achievements can’t be underestimated.

She added:

“WDGU is about teaching young people discipline through sport and keeping them off the streets and away from gangs, surrounding them with like-minded people who’ve got good intentions.

“In the boxing gym they have a coach who becomes a mentor for them. They just need an opportunity to do well in life, and to be given a purpose.”

“We are gaining such momentum and to see lives being turned around gives me a feeling I can’t describe. I’m so proud of the young people we support and it’s such a satisfying job to do. Everyone deserves a chance, and to see so many young people getting that chance and doing well is rewarding. The 24-hour World Record-breaking bid will enable us to keep doing the vital work we do, and we are so grateful to Alfie McArthur.”