Gambling harm consultancy EPIC Risk Management has announced an extension of its sponsorship arrangement with boxer Nathan Quarless.

The contract renewal will see the partners cooperate on gambling harm reduction and awareness programmes, building on the Merseyside-born fighter’s own experience with gambling addiction.

Lived-experience focused organisation EPIC has been sponsoring Quarless for the past two years as part of a partnership which had its roots when the boxer first met Paul Buck, Founder and CEO of EPIC Risk Management, whilst working with the North West England-based charity Beacon Counselling Trust.  

He has since advocated during the October launch of the EPIC Pro Sport Advisory Board, a committee established with the goal of raising awareness of gambling harm’s threat to elite sports, and featuring representatives from a range of organisations including Flutter Entertainment, Chelsea FC, Rugby Players Ireland and the Counter-Strike Professional Players’ Association (CSPPA).

“Nathan is a fantastic role model of recovery – a great advocate for positive recovery,” Buck remarked. “After suffering his own issues with gambling, he has used his talent in boxing amongst other things such as his new venture in supporting others in his recovery. 

“He was also a very positive advocate when we recently launched our new EPIC Pro Sport Advisory Board, bringing together key players from the pro sport, esports, and gambling ecosystem to try and minimise the ongoing risk of harm that people like Nathan have experienced in the past.”

“We are delighted to extend our relationship with Nathan and can’t wait to enjoy the journey with him as his professional career goes from strength to strength.”

EPIC’s renewal of its partnership with Quarless comes ahead of his bout against Irish boxer Steve Collins Jr, the son of former WBO middleweight and super-middleweight title holder Steve Collins.

Commenting on the development of his partnership with EPIC, Quarless said:  About two years ago now, I was working with Beacon on the launch of the Gambling Harms North West Alliance. Paul was doing a speech, and I did one on my struggles and read a poem as well.

“We didn’t end up networking on the day, but afterward, Paul got in touch with me through Twitter to tell me how much I’d inspired him and how he’d like to meet up. He ended up sponsoring me in boxing and we have become good friends from that day on.”

Additional sports focused partnerships have seen EPIC sign a four-year deal with the Professional Cricketers’ Association (PCA) – which is also represented on the Pro Sport Advisory Board – to provide gambling awareness education.