Debut Corner with super-middleweight Curtis Jay
Curtis Jay, a 25-year-old super-middleweight from Doncaster, spoke to BBN about turning professional with Boxing Connected and getting ready for his inauguration on April 4.
Here's what the 168-pounder had to say:
What made you want to start boxing?
“Well it was my friend that was going to the local boxing gym and asked me if I wanted to come along, when I was eight.
“I played football but I went with him to a YIP gym, which is like a youth club gym. I would go to boxing then to football straight after, but I was always half an hour late, so the coach said that I can’t do both, so I stuck with boxing.”
Who was your boxing hero growing up and why?
“Got to be Floyd Mayweather.”
How old were you when you had your first fight and how did you do?
“I was 12-years-old and I won, it was in Conisbrough.”
How well did you do in the amateurs?
“I boxed for England and had about 20 fights, my record was about half and half. I got to the ABA finals but lost to someone related to Joe Calzaghe. My last amateur fight was when I was 17, I got a back injury where I had injured my sciatic nerve, so I packed it in at 17, but then didn’t want to regret giving it a go, so I signed with Joe Elfidh, as it was always my dream to turn professional.”
What made you decide to turn pro?
“It suits my style of fighting, I’m a come forward fighter, a lot like the Mexican style, so pros suits me a lot better than amateur.”
What team do you have around you?
“My coach is Tom Gilbert, I train at the TG Boxing gym in Skellow, Doncaster. My manager is Joe Elfidh, Dave Adamson is another coach, then there’s Lee Glover as well. I spar with Josh Padley, Cameron Kaihau and Ryan Stevenson.”
Are you full-time as a pro?
“I work as a scaffolder as well. I go to the gym before work in the mornings, then again straight after work for a good two hours.”
What sort of fighting style do you have?
“I come forward, a lot like a Canelo, I fight like a Mexican, I’m orthodox.”
What ambitions do you have for your pro career?
“I want to make it to the top really, that’s the one ambition I’ve got.”
When is your first fight and who will be there in support?
“April 4 in Worksop. I’m quite popular in my area, between me and my family I could sell over 200 tickets alone.”
For tickets to the debut fight please call: 07895 820 261
You can follow Curtis Jay on Instagram here @curtisjayboxing_