Maris Martinsons Chief Patron of Latvian Boxing: “We Just Need to Strengthen the Foundations”.
Latvian entrepreneur and Vice President of the Latvian Boxing Association, Māris Martinsons, entered the world of patronage through sport – first through boxing, a discipline close to him since his youth. That experience became the starting point of a journey in which he not only supported young athletes but also helped build stable structures and create opportunities for long-term development. In this interview, he discusses the path of boxing in Latvia, the potential of young athletes, and the challenges posed by the shortage of coaches and referees.
– Thinking back to your first steps in supporting sport – how did it all begin?
In the late 1980s and early 1990s, I trained actively in boxing – altogether for 11 years. During that time, I realised how much discipline and strategic thinking this sport requires. Boxing is an intelligent sport – much like chess, you need to think several moves ahead.
One of my strongest memories dates back to the late 1980s, when we received our first pair of sports shoes – we wore them until they fell apart. Those were chaotic times when the whole system was changing, but it taught us to value every opportunity.
In 1992/93 I studied at Riga Technical University, and in 1993 my son Mārcis was born. After that I focused more on family and studies – that was my last year in boxing. But it was in the gym that I saw how many young people lacked the opportunity to train or participate in competitions, and I understood that if I could help one day, I definitely would.
In the late 1990s, alongside sport, I also gained experience in organisational work, which helped me understand how to build sustainable sport structures and make responsible decisions that later affect young athletes and coaches.
From that moment on, supporting sport was no longer just a personal matter – it became a responsibility. I saw how much good can be achieved when people who care about sport come together. At first it was boxing and kickboxing clubs, later – young hockey and basketball players.
The idea remained the same: to help those who want to succeed but need an opportunity. Boxing taught me resilience, discipline, and respect for hard work – qualities that help both in the ring and in life.
– Did the idea of supporting sport appear early on?
Yes, very early. I felt that I should help athletes and children who cannot afford training or competitions. So, when the first opportunity came, I got involved in sports activities and provided real support.
– And then other sports followed?
Yes. I became involved in hockey the same way many parents do – when my son Mārcis started playing. Hockey is one of the most expensive, yet most popular sports in Latvia. I have been supporting hockey for 27 years, and I am proud of what has been achieved.
It all began with the hockey club Concept, where several of us were co-owners. Then Elviss Želubovskis approached me, saying we should create our own club – that is how Hockey Club Mogo was founded. Later, the Mogo ice hall was purchased and the Falcons youth sports school was established. The Youth Hockey Centre was also created, supporting young hockey players – the idea belonged to Aigars Kalvītis and Jānis Spirinovskis, and I was actively involved in it.
For more than 15 years I have served on the board of the Latvian Ice Hockey Federation, contributing to the development of hockey and leading the children and youth committee.
Basketball has long been one of my favourite sports, even though I did not achieve much myself due to my height. So I made a decision: if I ever have the opportunity, I will support basketball as well. And that is what happened – through the companies I represent, support was provided to basketball teams VEF Rīga, where I served as president for ten years (2007–2017), and TTT Rīga.
– Speaking about boxing – how do you see its development today?
Over the past year, major changes have taken place in boxing. Together with like-minded colleagues, we gradually took over the leadership of the Boxing Federation and established the Latvian Boxing Association to introduce a modern approach to managing the sport.
This happened recently – after merging the federation and the association, the Latvian boxing community finally became unified. All former federation members are now part of the Latvian Boxing Association, and we continue working on reforms that will make the development of boxing in Latvia sustainable and professional. The association cooperates closely with clubs, coaches, athletes, and referees to build a shared vision for the future. Gatis Gudermanis was elected president, and I and Ansis Pūce serve as vice presidents. The secretary general is Ņikita Versockis, who is also a board member.
The Latvian Boxing Association was founded with the goal of developing and promoting boxing in Latvia – both as a grassroots sport and as a high-performance discipline with participation in European and world championships and the Olympic Games. We want to create a stable, professional environment where young athletes can grow and reach their sporting goals.
– How strong is children’s interest in boxing?
Overall, the interest is considerable. If a survey were conducted, I believe boxing would rank among the TOP 5 most popular sports. But it is not an easy path – boxing is demanding and requires discipline, and it is not easy for children to achieve results.
Historically, in the Soviet Union you could start boxing only at the age of 16 – it was considered too dangerous. Today there are no such restrictions, but I personally believe that until the age of 12, children should practise judo to develop general physical skills. Then, at 12, they can start boxing seriously.
Boxing is one of the most physically and emotionally demanding sports. Not all children choose it, as today’s sports offering is wide, but boxing attracts those who seek a real challenge.
I myself trained and won the Riga Championship in 1993, so I know exactly what this sport demands. It is very intense, and there is a risk of injury, but that is also what creates respect for the sport. You must truly love boxing to practise it.
To this day, I try to be in the boxing gym at least three times a week – it disciplines me and helps maintain fitness. Training under a coach is important because it creates a sense of responsibility. By nature, people tend to be lazy – if there is a chance to do nothing, they will take it. A coach helps maintain rhythm and focus.
– What is holding back youth boxing development in Latvia?
The main issue is the lack of coaches and their education. We need new, motivated specialists, as well as more qualified referees.
Therefore, we have introduced an interesting approach – involving children in refereeing. Not everyone will become a boxer, but someone might find their path as a referee or coach.
– What about infrastructure? Do young people have access to training facilities?
In the regions, the situation is often even better than in Riga. There are well-equipped Olympic centres, and a boxing ring is not expensive – 10 to 15 thousand euros. This is much cheaper than maintaining a hockey rink.
Everything depends on local people – if there is enthusiasm, results will follow. Our association’s board includes three heads of Olympic centres and the director of the Rīdzene Sports School, all of whom understand very well how to organise competitions and develop youth sport. So I can confidently say that we have one of the most professional boards among sports organisations in Latvia.
– How do we compare in the European context?
We have five or six athletes who can compete at the European level and realistically fight for medals. A superstar has not yet emerged, but the European Championship in Ostrava showed that Latvia’s young boxers have potential and persistence.
I want to highlight Nikolajs Zamjatins, who demonstrated strong performances even before the championship in Poland – forcing his opponent to stop the fight in the second round. Such victories and international experience are extremely valuable for young athletes – they build confidence and readiness for new challenges.
One of the biggest recent achievements is Daugavpils boxer Ņikita Prohovskis, who last year won silver at the World Boxing U-19 World Championships in the United States. In the final, he lost by unanimous decision to American Elaijah Lugo, but before that convincingly defeated both an Australian and a Czech opponent. This is a major achievement for Latvia, considering the level and global competition of the championship. The Latvian Boxing Association also financially supported his participation, covering the travel to the US.
As an association, we focus on the U21 age group – this is the age by which an athlete must be prepared for the senior level. After that, they will choose their own path.
– What impact did Mairis Briedis’ achievements have on boxing?
Briedis is, of course, a standout example – he provided a tremendous boost for young athletes. Although opinions about his life outside the ring may vary, in the ring he is a phenomenal boxer.
It may be difficult to match his achievements in the near future, but young athletes now have a benchmark to strive for. Briedis proved that a world-class boxer can emerge from Latvia.
– What is your overall outlook on the future of boxing in Latvia?
First and foremost, we need to strengthen the foundations. For 20 years, boxing lacked even basic structural elements – now we are changing that.
The Latvian Boxing Association has developed new regulations for coaches and referees, and training sessions and seminars are organised to ensure a unified understanding of rules and professional standards.
We also actively participate in international competitions, giving athletes the chance to gain experience abroad. This March, LBA organised the Latvian Championship – one of the first steps in implementing the new system. The competition followed clear rules, had qualified refereeing and solid organisation, showing that we are moving in the right direction.
There is significant interest among young people, the regions have strong training bases, but we need more coaches and referees. The state should also be more involved, as currently most of the burden falls on private individuals and municipalities.
(Translated using artificial intellect tool)
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