Boxing is more than a hobby for local fighter Joshua Galanakis – it’s a lifeline, helping him take control of his mental health.
After deciding to start competitive fighting alongside a friend, Galanakis found that boxing offered more than just fitness. It became an escape that kept him committed to training.
Before he recognised how much his mental instability was slowly getting the best of him, Galanakis said “I trained as a kid when I was 11… I’ve always regretted not following through with it.”
This determination has brought him opportunities to fight 11 times already in 2025, with his most recent bout last week when he left the ring victorious.
He has an impressive record with nine wins, one draw and a single loss under his belt. Galanakis is currently training for his final match of the year, scheduled for December 2025 in his hometown of Liverpool.
The 34-year-old revealed how the sport has impacted other parts of his life. He said “Boxing has given me more self-restraint as an outlet when I feel stressed.
I use it as a source of inspiration for guidance for my sons to show them what hard work and determination can achieve.”
The stigma around men’s mental health prevents some from reaching out for help, as stereotypically it can be viewed as ‘embarrassing.’
November is a month where charities plan events to highlight the issues. With the dark nights creeping in, it can escalate an individual’s silent struggles.
Galanakis recommended turning to exercise as a way of managing those emotions. “I would say everyone should train in some sort of combat sports even if they don’t compete. But specifically for men it’s a massive community, you will meet people who help you as much as they can, even though the initial entering the gym is daunting.”
For men who struggle to find coping mechanisms, he said, “it’s great for fitness and channelling anger and aggression. Men don’t talk to each other and the stigma of having to suck it up and move on is a major issue.”
He also feels the younger generation could benefit too. “I think boxing should be introduced into schools and would help.’’
He found himself feeling trapped in his head, when his flat became ‘too silent,’ and that was his turning point to get himself back on track.
The scouser added “the gym gave me an escape from being in my own head about what was going on. Most men isolate themselves and are left to deal with mental struggles in silence. A boxing gym can be scary because you perceive everyone in there to be tough, but most lads in the gym are going through similar struggles.”
Boxing became a powerful outlet for Galanakis — a way to break through emotional barriers and move forward from a period when he once felt ‘stuck.’
