by Our Sports Desk

Former boxing promoter Kellie Maloney, formerly known as Frank Maloney, has said a return to the ring could be on the cards.

Lennox Lewis’s former manager revealed her transition earlier this week and has been living as Kellie since quitting the sport last October.

The 61-year-old, famous for wearing union flag suits in the ring, guided Lewis to the undisputed world heavyweight title during a successful 30-year career and her former charge has backed her since she spoke out on Sunday.

Maloney has now hinted she would now like to take up an official role with the sport’s governing body in Britain.

“I’d like to go back in there to prove them all wrong because I know I could do it,” she said.

“Nobody can ever deny what I have achieved as the only man to manage a British world heavyweight champion.

“Now I would like to be the only female to guide the next generation of future British champions.”

“I have to rebrand myself. That is my next mission. Given everything I have been through in the last couple of years and the decades of experience in boxing I have gained, I would be able to add a lot to the British Boxing Board of Control and help them step out of the past and into the future.

“It is the sport that has kept me sane through my darkest days and I’d like to give it something back.”

She added that she felt sport could be used to change attitudes towards transgender people in wider society and said she had received messages of support from many people in the fight business.

Reacting to the news of Kellie’s transition, Lewis said: “I was just as shocked as anyone at the news about my former promoter and my initial thought was that it was a wind-up. 

“The great thing about life, and boxing, is that, day to day, you never know what to expect.

“This world we live in isn’t always cut and dried or black and white and, coming from the boxing fraternity, I can only imagine what a difficult decision this must be for Kellie.

“However, having taken some time to read Kellie’s statements, I understand better what she, and others in similar situations, are going through. 

“I think that all people should be allowed to live their lives in a way that brings them harmony and inner peace.

“I respect Kellie’s decision and say that if this is what brings about true happiness in her life, than so be it.”