England rep and ABA finalist Curtis Jay turns professional
25-year-old super-middleweight Curtis Jay, from Doncaster, has turned professional under the guidance of Boxing Connected’s Joe Elfidh.
The former England amateur representative will make his professional debut on April 4 at the North Notts Arena in Worksop on a Boxing Connected show headlined by Ultimate Boxxer finalist Mark ‘Bad News’ Bennett.
Initially, Jay had signed with another promotional outfit as he plotted his path in the paid ranks, “I was signed with a different promoter, Danny Thornton in Leeds, but I wanted to be on local shows so my trainer Tom Gilbert got in touch with Joe [Elfidh] and we sorted it all out.”
Curtis Jay experienced around 20 amateur fights, reached an ABA final and was picked to represent England. He quit boxing aged 17 after damaging the sciatic nerve in his back.
He trained with current English featherweight champion Reece Mould during his amateur career, who’s unbeaten in 13 fights and challenges for the British title in his next fight in March.
Now training at TG Boxing gym in Skellow, Doncaster, with trainer Tom Gilbert, the debutant experiences top sparring with stablemates Cameron Kaihua, Ryan Stevenson, Josh Padley, who are all unbeaten and fighting together in Doncaster on February 21.
A family man and father of two, the full-time scaffolder described his daily routine, “I’m training in the mornings before work, then after work I head straight to the gym for a good two hours session, and I do this six days a week.”
Jumping straight from amateur to professional boxing, with an eight-year gap in between, Jay described the main difference between the two codes, “The three-minute rounds is a big difference compared to the two-minutes in the amateurs. There’s a big difference in that extra minute, but you learn to push yourself better.”
Describing himself as a come-forward, aggressive, Mexican-styled fighter, Jay expects to sell over 200 tickets to his debut fight, and with that big support, he aims to fight again soon afterwards.
“Joe’s [Elfidh] got a show on just six weeks after in Doncaster, so hopefully I’ll get on that straight after. If I can get three or four fights a year then I’ll be happy with that.”
Manager Joe Eflidh added, “It’s good to have Tom Gilbert and Curtis Jay on board as Boxing Connected look to build up in Doncaster. I'd like to say thank you Danny Thornton for the amicable split and for helping Curtis with his transition to the paid ranks.
“We’ve already got our first show in Doncaster happening on February 21 and there’ll be many more nights to come with more fighters joining the growing Boxing Connected stable.”
Ultimate Boxxer heavyweight runner-up Mark Bennett (7-1) will headline the April 4 show at North Notts Arena in Worksop, supported by unbeaten Declan Cairns (2-0).
Follow Boxing Connected on Twitter: @boxingconnected
For tickets to the next show, visit Boxing Connected’s FB Page or call 07883 943 994
Subscribe to Boxing Connected’s YouTube channel
Boxing Connected would like to thank Kent Trade Frames – Campbell Nutrition – Swerve City – Basement159 – RoofDec – 1ClickPrint – Shiatsu Shane – Tierney Photography – Laking Painting & Decorating – Protect and Patrol – Invicta Gym and PR Manager Tim Rickson