BBN took a trip up to Doncaster to visit Yorkshire boxing champion Kyle Fox ahead of his pro bow on March 25th at North Notts Arena in Worksop.
Here's what the super-welterweight had to say…
What made you want to start boxing?
“To be fair, it’s in my genes – my dad, granddad, great granddad. It were my granddad that took my uncle to the boxing gym, we were roughly the same age, so he dragged me along, too. I was nine when I first went to Doncaster Plantworks”
Who was your boxing hero growing up and why?
“My boxing hero growing up was Roy Jones Jr. I saw his last fight the other weekend, I think he needs to give it a rest now, like.”
How old were you when you had your first fight and how did you do?
“I were 11 and I’m not sure how I got on it’s that far ago now! I think I won on points.”
How well did you do in the amateurs?
“I done well, I had 40-50 amateur bouts in total. All last year I boxed for the Yorkshire squad all over the world, I went to Holland and Spain, and against other counties.
When I went to Holland, I came away with a win and was presented with the best fighter of the night award.
As a schoolboy, I was Yorkshire champ four times – as a junior and senior. I was always injured for the ABA’s after winnng the Yorkshire's a few times.”
What made you decide to turn pro?
“I’ve been boxing 14 years now and feel like I’ve got enough experience especially with boxing abroad, so I feel like it’s time to give it a go.”
What team do you have around you?
“My main coach is Michael White at Fighting Fit Gym and Joe Elfidh is my manager. I go down to another gym once per week to work with Chris Smedley. My sponsors are Alan’s Supercuts, 25 Customs, Edlington Motors, and Peters Footwear of York.”
What sort of fighting style do you have?
“Pretty much a straight-forward boxer but quite aggressive on the front foot.”
What ambitions do you have for your pro career?
“Right now, just to get as far as I can possibly get, I definitely want to make sure I’m British level but, for now, I want to keep busy and rack up the wins.”
When is your first fight and who will be there in support?
“It's March 25th in Worksop. I have sold 80 tickets already and I’ll be doing a lot more than that. I done 50 ringside in the first day I had them!”
Are you full-time as a pro?
“Yeah, I work as well though but training comes first in my mind.”
What fight would you like to see soon?
“Garcia v Thurman. I’m a big Garcia fan and, to be fair, I don’t think people respect him as much as they should, but Thurman is dangerous.
It’s definitely a 50-50 fight, you won’t be shocked which way it goes.”
Who would you most like to fight – past or present?
“That's got to be Floyd Mayweather!
Not just for the money, not because i think I can beat him…purely just for the hype that the Mayweather fights attract. It would be something special to be a part of.”
For tickets to the debut fight please call: 07399 603 442
To follow Kyle Fox on Twitter, click here @kscottfox
Kyle Fox vs Ryan Stevenson in the amateurs: