Allow us to introduce to you to a truly inspirational man...Mr Mark Prince. His story is one that is very real and very humbling. It’s the stuff great biographies and Hollywood blockbusters are made of.
At 15 years old the young Brit was homeless, by 21 he was a father of two and was leading a life of crime. His saviour came in the form of boxing and he very quickly excelled. Mark’s big break came with a five year contract with legendary boxing promoter Frank Warren. 20 fights, 19 wins (15 by way of knock out) later he had won two international belts and had a shot at the Light-Heavyweight World Title.
Muscular, athletic, good looking, articulate and a superb fighter, Prince was set to dominate the light-heavyweight division and revive boxing by bringing new fans and reigniting the passions of old fans. As he stood on the edge of superstardom a terrible knee injury ended his career. Yet this was not to be the most devastating blow.
The apple does not fall far from the tree and Mark’s athletic genes were passed down to his son Kiyan Prince. In 2006 Queens Park Rangers Football Club having recognised Kiyan’s talent signed the 15 year old to their youth team.
His talents also spread to the classroom and Kiyan was a grade A student whose outgoing nature made him well liked amongst teachers, friends and team mates. Like his father he too would be seen as treading the path to superstardom.
On May 18th 2006 Kiyan was fatally stabbed outside his school in North London. He was just 15 years old. True to his good nature he had seen a friend being bullied and stepped into calm the situation. As he turned to walk away his killer attacked.
The fighter’s spirit is so often written about yet few really understand it. How does a man pick himself up after such a crushing loss? What makes him turn his tragedy into something so positive, so commendable that his loss becomes our gain? Mark Prince rose from the depths of rage, anger and depression. His son’s death was not to be in vain.
The Kiyan Prince Foundation delivers programmes and workshops to schools, prisons and other youth establishments, educating them about the dangers of knife and gun crime and opening their eyes to the consequences. The foundation also runs boxing and fitness programmes which are positive outlets for aggression and excellent means of instilling discipline in disenfranchised young men who share similarities to a young Mark Prince.
We started this post by saying that Mark Prince's story is the stuff great biographies and Hollywood blockbusters are made of. We truly believe that his story is one to be shared. It asks us to evaluate our lives and rewards us with the knowledge that we can be like Mark Prince and find strength where we thought it was depleted.
Mark’s work with The Kiyan Prince Foundation was recognised in 2008 by the Prime Minster when he was awarded the Children’s Champion Award. Mark continues to tirelessly help young people and disadvantaged communities around UK.
Mr Prince it was a pleasure to meet you. You are a true inspiration and an icon. We salute you, Sir!
To learn more about Mark Prince and The Kiyan Prince Foundation and to show your support please visit www.kiyan.org
Please also watch Mark’s speech delivered at Kiyan’s graveside:
Photos Courtesy of Mark Prince.
