Sheffield boxer slams 'naughty' messages she receives on social media
Boxer Amy Greatorex has revealed the unwanted “naughty” messages she receives online from men, while trying to secure sponsorship to keep her professional career alive.
The 39-year-old, who turned professional in 2022, is preparing for her 14th pro contest at The Old Forge in Hillsborough on April 18.
But away from the ring, she says the struggle to fund her career is being made harder by inappropriate approaches on social media.
The super lightweight, who learned much of her fighting trade at Sheffield’s Riley’s gym, explained the financial obstacles facing fighters outside the elite level.
“The reality of boxing is if you want to box in the home corner, you need to pay for your own opponent out of ticket sales, and I definitely can’t afford it out of my own pocket, unfortunately,” she added.
“This is why I originally had to go in the away corner because people would just not commit and I couldn’t rely on ticket sales...which means you don’t always get the decisions you deserve.”
Like many fighters on the small hall circuit, she has turned to social media in a bid to attract sponsors - offering logo space on her fight kit and promotional exposure online.
But she says some conversations can take an inappropriate turn.
“You would not believe the amount of people that message - promising sponsorships or help - and it is purely because basically they want to get in your DMs (private, direct form of messaging.)
“The amount of people that start off by saying: 'Yeah, you are getting taken seriously' and then turn it into talking or trying to talk about naughty stuff.”
Chesterfield's Greatorex who holds a 1-12-0 record, is clear that she has no interest in mixing her professional boxing career with that type of arrangement, despite acknowledging that some fighters choose a different route.
“But I don't - it's not me,” she said.
“I am far from a prude but my boxing is totally separate from anything else.
“Boxing is serious to me; I want to be taken seriously. I don't want randomers on social media messaging me about my underwear, for starters.”
Having first taken up boxing a decade ago as an amateur, she says the issue highlights a side of the sport that many do not see - particularly the different experiences faced by female fighters.
“Not everybody sees this side of boxing.
“While some men will get messages like that, they will be few and far between.
“There have been a few female boxers that probably have taken it on board and do it. There are quite a few on Only Fans and I will take my hat off to them.”
She added that those who pursue that path are “succeeding in that line of business” - but insists it is not for her.
Instead, Greatorex remains focused on her boxing, as she continues to push for genuine backing from businesses willing to support her journey in the sport.
With a home fight night looming in Sheffield, her message is simple - she is a serious boxer looking for help and sponsorship, not the kind of attention that undermines both her efforts and the sport she is committed to.