Parfetts employee wins national boxing tournament

Parfetts is firmly in the corner of one of its employees, who has won a prestigious boxing title.

Dylan "The Natural" Cheema, 25, was crowned BOXXER Series lightweight champion via a unanimous decision victory over opponent Rylan Charlton in the final in Coventry. Parfetts supports Dylan on his boxing journey with a sponsorship package and flexibility around training and fights.

Dylan, who works as a business unit manager in the chilled and frozen produce category at Parfetts head office in Stockport, won three tough bouts in one night in order to land the £40,000 prize. A TKO victory in the first round set him up for two successful decisions, showcasing his strength and determination to win. The tournament was broadcast live on Sky Sports.

Dylan, a former kickboxing double world champion at the age of 21 and 22, decided to switch to boxing just two years ago. His record is already impressive, having had five fights so far, including his three latest wins with no defeats and one knockout.

Dylan joined the trading department at Parfetts in 2020, previously working as an independent retailer in his family’s own convenience store business.

He is also on the panel for the Federation of Wholesale Distributors’ Future Leaders Forum, which aims to develop emerging talent in the wholesale sector. The scheme is made up of 30 individuals aged 30 and under from suppliers, wholesalers and service providers from the retail sector.

According to his work colleagues, Dylan displays the same level of commitment and passion for his work as he does for the sport of boxing. Dylan commutes every day from his home city of Coventry to Parfetts in Stockport, Greater Manchester. He trains twice a day, six days a week, including lunchtime gym sessions during work and after completing his working day at his boxing gym in Birmingham.

Dylan also helps out in his family’s own local convenience store in Coventry every Saturday. He worked in the family shop on the Sunday after winning the BOXXER tournament as it was a busy Bank Holiday weekend.

“This is the just start of things for me," said Dylan. "I’m ready for the bigger nights and can’t wait to see what the future holds. I’ve got a good manager and a good team behind me, and I have great support and encouragement from my employers at Parfetts, who not only support me financially through sponsorship but give me the flexibility to step up my training when I need to in the build-up to a big fight. It means a lot to me that they are in my corner as I look to pursue my boxing dream.”

Guy Swindell, joint managing director of Parfetts, said: “Dylan is a fantastic colleague, and we are immensely proud. We support his goals and look forward to seeing what his boxing career holds. Dylan was back at work straight after the tournament and is passionate about the wholesale and convenience sector.”

Parfetts operates across the North, Midlands and Wales through a national logistics network, digital channels and seven wholesale depots.