Get to know unbeaten welterweight Jack McKinlay
BBN paid a visit to possibly the most talented professional gym in the UK today – the Everton Red Triangle.
Head coach Paul Stevenson has an endless stream of decorated amateurs coming through to the professional ranks and this man, Jack McKinlay, is one of the success stories.
We threw 40 quickfire questions at 'The Ripper' in order for fight fans to get to know a bit more about the undefeated welterweight.
Name: Jack McKinlay
Record: (1-0)
40-36 PTS WIN vs William Warburton (26-155-10)
Weight: Welterweight
Born: Liverpool
Residence: Liverpool
DOB: 15/11/1989
Nickname? “Jack the Ripper.”
Favourite all-time boxer? “Julio Cesar Chavez (107-6-2). I just love his style and I like the way he was undefeated for so long.”
Favourite current boxer? “Naoya Inoue (19-0).”
Favourite fight? “Probably Aaron Pryor vs Alexis Arguello – the first one.”
What made you start boxing? “I first started when I was 13. I just started because my mate, Moe, who has got a shop near me, took me down the boxing gym once, and I just carried on. He’s stopped now.”
Boxing clubs? “Started off at the Tuebrook ABC, then Rotunda for three years and had four fights with them, then went to Everton Red Triangle.”
Amateur honours? “About 32 fights and won 26, I think. I won the Under 20’s national title and got to the quarter-finals of the ABAs, but got beat by Elliot Whale [Now 1-0 pro from Sidcup, Kent]. Dalton Smith won it that year.”
Biggest achievement in boxing? “When I won the Under 20’s national title and turning professional.”
Toughest ever opponent? “Probably my gym mates. I boxed Jof [Jonathan Walsh] in the amateurs in the ABA’s and he won. I was weight-drained and it made it tough for me. Just had a bad night, to be honest.”
Goals in boxing? “To be honest, I’ve always wanted to be a world champion, but I really want to be British champion because it’s just such a nice belt.”
Retirement age? “Yeah, 35.”
Team? “Obviously, Paul Stevenson is the main trainer; my mate Mick Smith sponsors me and helps me out with all my training equipment; Muscle Warehouse, his name is Mo Salah, he does my protein and diet; My Fresh Box supplies with me with two meals per day.”
Boxing style? “My stamina and fitness, and my mental strength are my strong points.”
Ring walk song? “Had a dance tune for my last one, my professional debut, but haven’t got one in particular.”
Pre-fight rituals? “It depends on the venue where you’re boxing, I try to relax when I get there and not get too hyped up.”
Favourite brand of gloves? “Salvador Elites.”
Best venue? “Probably York Hall in Bethnal Green, that was for my Under 20’s final.”
Best belt? “The Ring Magazine belt because it looks the best, like Rocky’s one!”
Favourite football team? “Everton FC.”
Other sports? “I like snooker and darts and I don’t mind tennis.”
Favourite holiday destination? “Haven’t been on holiday for a while but used to like going to Lanzarote.”
Favourite TV programme? “I like to watch boxing documentaries in YouTube.”
Favourite film? “Jaws. It was my favourite film from childhood.”
What actor would play you in a film of your life? “My favourite actor is Robert DeNiro, so I’d like to say him.”
Favourite music? “Hip-hop and R’n’B. I like a mixture of everything, I like dance music as well.”
Favourite food? “Probably a roast dinner with lamb is my favourite meal.”
Favourite restaurant? “I don’t really go out much to eat, to be honest, so haven’t got one particular place that I go.”
Favourite brands? “I like shopping in Foot Asylum.”
Favourite superhero? “Batman.”
Phobias? “Coathangers!”
Motto? “Don’t know, can’t think of any.”
Next fight? “February 28th at Grand Central Hall in Liverpool on a Black flash Promotions event.”
What fight do you want to see happen this year? “I’d love to see Vasily Lomachenko vs Gervonta Davis, I think Loma wins but I’d just like to see it happen.”
If you could fight anyone, past or present, who would it be? “I’d like to fight Miguel Cotto, just love his style. I wouldn’t like to fight my heroes though, I’ve got too much respect for them, I’d like to spar them instead.”
If you weren’t a boxer, what would you be? “Football player for Everton FC.”
What is the best division to watch in boxing and why? “I always liked Manny Pacquaio so probably the lighter weights, such as the welterweights.”
What is most important to you in your career between money and glory? “Glory and getting out of the sport with my health intact.”
Where do you want to be in your career in exactly one year’s time from now? “I’d like to be banging on the door for a title and still undefeated.”
Tell us something that not many people know about you? “Probably that I box, because I don’t really tell people that I’m a boxer unless they ask me.”
Twitter?@jackmckinlay18