A FIGHT promoter has defended his Quarantine Fight Club after his live professional fights went viral on Facebook.

Hundreds of people have been following his Facebook page, Quarantine Fight Club - or QFC - throughout the lockdown period with many viewers writing into the Telegraph & Argus about its entertainment value.

It's the brainchild of professional boxer Darren Moffitt - he's been fighting since he was six years old, a pro for 12 years and a professional K1 kickboxer for over 10 years.

With lockdown putting both his love of sport and career on hold, he created QFC.

What started out as a professional fight at a secret location in Bradford has become a weekly live event watched by 60,000 people at a time.

The event is hosted at different boxing gyms across the district each week with professional boxers taking to the ring for both their mental health and fitness stamina.

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But with covid-19 cases at a critical level in Bradford, the question has to be asked: how is he making sure the event is safe?

Darren told the Telegraph & Argus: "I'm a fighter promoter all year round. I supply fighters to shows all over the country. When lockdown started there was nothing going on.

"Every weekend I'm normally out at shows. I'm sat at home. I'm sat there thinking what I'm going to do. I've got lots of my fighters bored at home.

"I had a couple of my lads in a field with no audience and just made them fight for the fun of it.

"It was just a little bit of fun to keep us going and keep them active. It's all for free. It's been costing me money each week to keep it going.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus:

"A lot of the people that have been participating have got mental health issues, they're saying, 'I've got something to look forward to'.

"It's more or less about helping people out, getting them out the house. These people are all trained.

"There's no audience. We do things right. We've got medical staff. It's all done right to an extent what you can do.

"The fights are controlled by myself. I know what I'm doing. I try keep my distance but the fighters don't social distance as they're fighting together.

"I know it's a hard one. There's always going to be a couple of people frowning on it.

"Some people can say we're not social distancing but we're helping people with mental health issues, we're raising money for charity.

"We do follow the same procedures the professionals do as much as we can so it is all under control."

Darren is also raising funds for an autism awareness charity, People in Action, and discussing men's mental health during the live videos.

One fighter confided in Darren that he had battled with his mental health in lockdown but, thanks to getting back to the sport, he is no longer suicidal.

You can donate via the QFC website here.

  • If you are dealing with issues mentioned in this story and need help, contact Mind in Bradford, open between 12 noon – 12 midnight every day, on 01274 730815.
  • If you need urgent mental health support, call First Response 01274 221181
  • For Samaritans, text 116 123 free from any phone or call 0330 094 5717 (local call charges apply).