MICHAEL HELLIET
Mickey’s colourful background started out by flogging astrology charts before he became a renowned boxing manager and promoter.
An ex-boxer himself, Mickey is renowned on the London boxing circuit and currently manages one of the fastest rising boxing stables in the country after starting the business in 2002. He has several champion boxers on his books including English super middle weight champion, Darryll Williams and Super Welterweight, Asinia Byfield.
Over the years, Mickey puts on some of the most hotly anticipated boxing events in London at exclusive London venues through his company Mayfair Sporting Club. He has East London shows monthly through Hellraiser Boxing that are filmed for TV.
He has also spoken on a panel with England Boxing and the charity, Mind, to raise awareness of mental health in boxing.
His straight-talking approach instils each fighter with unparalleled trust in his experience, passion and vision for their success.
“To build a career that stands the test of time takes more than just expertise in the ring.“
Michael, Welcome to the Leadership interview
How do you start your day?
I start my day by scanning the latest articles & press releases related to my industry.
This helps me to keep up to date and be able to provide an educated opinion on current matters and keep my finger on the pulse to any latest developments.
Keeping up to date is very important to me.
What was your first job and what is the worst job you’ve ever done?
First job was selling shoes. I hated every second of every minute of every hour of every day of every week!
Soon moved on to be self employed flogging booze, astrology charts and then training boxers…
What advice would you give to others about furthering their careers?
Learn the intricacies of your industry. If you want to shine above the competition you need to arm yourself with in depth knowledge,
‘Fail to prepare, prepare to fail!’
There is no substitute for hard work. This doesn’t mean that you should take ‘the long way round’ everything.
In fact, innovation normally comes from knowing your niche thoroughly so that you can offer insight and advice to people who are willing to pay for or barter expertise.
Who inspires you and why?
Many people inspire me. People who engage their minds to find less complicated, cheaper, more effective methods of structuring their business. Also, people who show heart and courage to overcome disadvantageous circumstances to prevail.
Do you think a talent to lead is nature or nurture?
Nurture. Some people take to the responsibility more naturally than others but that doesn’t necessarily mean that they are more gifted. I think to be a successful leader you normally have to have been ‘in the trenches’ to some degree.
With experience and knowledge comes the natural progression to show others the way forward.
How can a leader fail? Do you have a personal example?
A leader can fail if they try to present themselves as something they are not or change their ethos once they begin to accumulate.
If they bite off more than they can chew, if they lose their way or their work ethic or take short cuts.
Some ‘leaders’ can be successful in their sector and then begin to think that they can be successful at anything and everything they do as a result. However, they sometimes aren’t quite the geniuses they assume they are and so fail (miserably!)
What are your greatest strengths and weaknesses?
My greatest strength is my work ethic, my determination and my ability to absorb setbacks without losing my self-belief.
My biggest weakness (or so I have been told) is becoming too emotionally attached to projects.
I only get involved in projects that motivate me deeply and that can mean a lot of commitment.
I think I do too many things because I feel it is the right thing to do rather than realise it is not worthwhile and then end up cutting ties.
What do you find most challenging about being a leader?
The responsibilities entailed.
When you know that your partners are putting their heart and soul into making a project successful, it is a heavy burden to carry when you are under stressful conditions and you know that one slip up will mean that everyone fails.
What are you most proud of?
I’m most proud of taking young guys from very humble beginnings and helping them optimise their careers.
What’s your biggest self- indulgence?
Gambling.
I don’t really see it as an indulgence as such as it is profitable but I gamble, almost exclusively on boxing.
I keep meticulous records of all my bets and invest winnings in property.
I play poker but again I keep meticulous records of that too and over a period of a month say, I manage to do it profitably although the profits are far smaller than boxing betting profits.
So, maybe poker is my biggest indulgence.
Follow Mickey on Twitter and LinkedIn
He is also on YouTube and Facebook: Hellraiser Boxing The Mayfair Sporting Club
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