Throwback to my professional boxing debut at only 20 years old.
I didn’t have much of a clue about the sport back then.
I started at my local amateur club at 16. Had my first amateur fight at 17. Won by stoppage.
Thought that all I had to do was turn up on fight night and I’d win. Lost my next 3 fights. A losing record hurt!
I started training hard and fell in love with the sport. Won my next 10 bouts.
As an electrician I worked away a lot so it became almost impossible to train at my amateur club.
I found myself training at a professional gym as it was open on weekends. This was handy for when I’d come home after a week away.
At 19 I started sparring professionals. Fridays Saturday and Sundays. Before I’d head back off around the country again on a Monday.
I got a real buzz out of sparring the pros. They were tough and I got banged up a lot. But I made some friends for life in that gym.
I then decided to turn professional. I wanted that extra little bit of money whilst saving up for a deposit on a house.
I retired from boxing at 23 years old. 8 pro fights under my belt. 5 wins, 2 losses and 1 draw.
It feels like a completely different life. It was so hard. I got a flat nose, a few scars around the eyes and a bit of double vision for my troubles. I’m proud to have done it and given it my best shot.
Jack
‘If boxing has taught me anything, it’s that you have to keep going in life, push through the pain and the hurt and the challenges you face.’
– Jimmy Tibbs