Tag: Swansea

Paddy Holohan – Desperation Creates Motivation

Post author By f/s
Post date October 7, 2020

“I would advise anyone to get people around them they can really trust. An observation I’ve made over the last little while, is that having family involved throughout their team or management is important. You need to have someone you can really trust, someone you can give it all too. I would say to young people getting into the sport, try and find that person.”

Look high and low. Search the archives for all sportspeople; You will seldom find a more unique story. Refusing to accept he would become a product of the disjointed environment surrounding him, this proud Irishman would become a history-breaking example of how pushing boundaries makes the best of yourself. UFC’s Paddy “The Hooligan” Holohan risked it all to make a success of his life.

A young Tallaght lad, growing up in a world that paved two roads – one would leave him fade into his home of Jobstown; or become the beacon to show people there truly is no limit. “Desperation creates motivation” after all.

At 8 years old Paddy was diagnosed with a rare blood disorder. So rare there’s a one in a million, to a one in five million, chance of it. Factor XIII deficiency was the condition which, amongst other problems, increases the chances of cranium bleeds. What would Paddy do? Become a cage fighter, of course.

His environment taught him to be a fighter, and having nothing meant there was nothing to lose. The Hooligan within Paddy is what removed all fear of risking his livelihood. He made him a terrier of the UFC’s Flyweight division for 5 fights, before his condition cut a successful MMA career short.

Jekyll and Hyde are absolutely epitomized by Paddy. Asking Paddy about the pros and cons of “The Hooligan”, an initial chuckle suggested that his internal brother never provided a dull moment.

“He was definitely useful that Hooligan. I used to say we sort of grabbed fear and doubt at the door, by the hand, and dragged the both of them into the cage with me. Paddy Holohan, as a kid, was maybe a little bit of an insecure kid. I had to learn how to be able to turn this around and fight back, especially living on the road I grew up in. I wouldn’t say it was bullying because I hate that word, but it could be considered it now. You would have some who would be your friends, but then they would be p*ssed off and decide that they wanted to come out and pick on you.”

The world Paddy grew up in seemingly antagonized “The Hooligan” to mature and manifest himself as the battle armour he wore when the gauntlet was lay down before him.

“That Hooligan made me snap. There would be times in my fights, when I was on the road, where I just would not stop. It was a possession in me; It wasn’t that insecure, skinny, little ginger kid. It was a feeling that you’ve mugged me, you’ve mocked me, and I used it to be able to drive me in many different directions. Most importantly, I was able to use “The Hooligan” as someone to lean on, like a thought process.” He laughs.

“Whilst pushing the sleighs at the gym, thinking that people were mugging you off and thinking that I wasn’t going to make it, laughing. I would bully The Hooligan myself, tease him a little bit; it would bring out the best in me.”

Alongside “The Hooligan”, Paddy had the added motivation of representing Ireland. The second UFC card held in Ireland saw McGregor vs. Brandao. First fight of the card: Paddy Holohan vs Josh Sampo. The fighting style of Paddy was versatile, but his strengths were within Jiu Jitsu. Paddy a purple belt at the time, was facing the higher-graded brown belt in Sampo. All obstacles would fall before Paddy and “The Hooligan” as he penned his name into the history books of Irish MMA. Arguably the biggest occasion and biggest stage up to that point. A round 1 rear-naked choke would send the The O2 into a joyous frenzy; Paddy the conductor of it all.

Being a part of Irish MMA history isn’t about the fame, or an ego-grooming statement Paddy can stake his claim to. It’s about being proud of Ireland and being an ambassador for the nation. A fellow SBG (Straight Blast Gym) fighter and friend of Paddy’s, Conor McGregor once said “We come bulletproof in Ireland. We’re reared tough, and we fight”.
It’s that appreciation that shows the relationship fighters have with their beloved Ireland. This love-affair with Ireland turns “The Hooligan” into an even more potent beast.

“To represent that green, white and orange on the Irish flag was a dream. It was like a power cape when you put it around you. I wanted to represent my country in anything. To be able to do it in something as pure and raw as fighting is immense, me against him, 1-on-1. It’s not like a team sport but it is like a slam dunk; an individuals moment. However, it is done with humility and respect. To be able to carry that flag; I would always say the cloth weighs a few grams but the real weight is tons. You’re carrying the whole nation on that flag. It isn’t about whether you win or you lose, it is about how you stand behind that flag. To be able to represent it fills me with the ultimate pride.”

SBG Ireland has been THE institution in the country to move the level of MMA to a level it can compete with any other place on earth. Some of the superstars that sit high within the ranks of the UFC have rolled on the mats, spilt blood and dripped sweat within the walls of SBG. The hard hours committed in the gym, and getting the victory on the big occasions, showed that SBG nurtured warriors into true mixed martial artists.

SBG has not been short of talent throughout the years, but Paddy believes a lot of the fighters on that historic night in Dublin have provided the initial momentum to push Irish MMA onto pastures greener.

“Conor McGregor, Gunni Nelson, Aisling Daly, Cathal Pendred, Chris Fields and coach John Kavanagh and all them kinds of people. I definitely feel it was the guys who fought in Dublin on that night (UFC McGregor v Brandao). To be able to get the win when it mattered, that resonated around the world. The people who fought and represented Ireland on that night are definitely the guys, Norman Parke as well who was on the ultimate fighter. If you were to ask the average Joe in the street to name MMA fighters, they would definitely mention us who fought on that card in Dublin. SBG has been a driving force in the sport. I would have to say I think it is the team of SBG that was raised through the ranks with John Kavanagh that made the huge impact on the SBG brand, making it what it is now.”

From SBG student to more recently SBG coach. Not before a difficult retirement was forced upon him… an unrelated injury revealed his blood disorder to the UFC. It was never something that Paddy hid; it just wasn’t all that necessary for him to reveal either. Something he medicated and lived with, he knew better than anyone how to handle, however perhaps knew that being passed fit to fight with a form of hemophilia would be impossible. When people say they are risking it all, Paddy was literally putting his life on the line to showcase his craft in the UFC. His last fight would be headlining his own UFC card in Dublin; UFC Fight Night: Holohan vs Smolka.

Four years plus on since his retirement, his love and commitment to the sport still outweigh any risk.

“I’d still be in there now, if I was allowed. That’s the reality of the situation. I’ve relived that main event in my head over a thousand times. I’m very grateful that I’ve been able to have been the main event at a UFC event in Dublin. I think there’s only two guys, Irish fighters, who have done that: Me and Conor. To have that main event slot, and be able to put my name on it in Dublin alongside Conor, is amazing. You’re in the same category as someone that will be remembered in the sport forever. I stepped up and give it my best that night, I was just exhausted going into that whole process preparing for the main event. Funnily enough, my walkout song for that night came on when I was in the car with my son, and it made me think. I still train, and I’ve rested up as well now. I feel better now than I did going into that main event. If that fight was on tonight, I would definitely have another crack at it.”

Paddy’s thoughts on when a fighter should retire can’t look any further than how he personally feels. Some fighters can get all the fire out of their belly, and leave the sport with an extinguished flame, peacefully. It wasn’t (and isn’t) within the nature of “The Hooligan” to have retired.

“Stepping away is the hardest thing for a fighter to do. Whatever is inside you as a fighter, that gets you there. All of a sudden, you’re in a situation where you have to start going against that instinct to fight. It’s a hard thing to fight against especially when you don’t want too. It’s like an addiction, where you really enjoy it and it really makes you happy, but it’s not a good decision for your life anymore. Selfishly, I fought to stay there and continue fighting. When you look at your kids and your family, it just makes me grateful for making them walks and doing what I did in the sport.”

Paddy Holohan, is now Coach Paddy. Carrying the SBG flame onwards at SBG D24 in Tallaght. This isn’t the first coaching role of Paddy’s career, he helped corner some of the original SBG fighters, notably Aisling Daly.

“Aisling Daly was someone who I went in under as a main coach for a while, when she was fighting in the UFC. There would’ve been times we flew out to Vegas.” Chuckles Paddy, nostalgically.

“Two kids from Dublin out there in Vegas, and out in Kansas City at times as well with Invicta. To be able to get them wins at that time, especially when Aisling won on the fight card for the Ultimate Fighter finale. That was an amazing moment.”

His present-day athletes are likely to be equally as successful as Paddy was. A man with the mentality and graft only found in a montage from a Stallone movie. Not only full of determination, and “The Hooligan”, but the knowledge and skills to educate the next generation.

Having had that numbing euphoria inside the cage, his feeling of ecstasy was apparent in its own form as the coach watching his victorious students.

“A win for one of my athletes, when they’re in there, is incredible. I’ve been coaching for about ten years now, from back when I was helping out throughout the SBG team. I’ve just had an athlete win a silver medal in the IMAF/IMMAF world championships. An amazing athlete in Shauna Bannon. She’s a multiple world kickboxing champion and she has a huge future in the sport if she keeps doing what she’s doing. I wouldn’t want to pick too many moments out as a coach, as some guys might wonder why I haven’t picked their moment out” jokes Paddy.

“I love to coach, it’s something I’ve always wanted to do.”

Paddy now shares his time between coaching and politics. A proud Tallaght man who wanted to prove that a boy from Jobstown can write his own destiny. He has shown the endeavor needed to cast out all judgements. His personality reflects a man who wants to benefit people, his own people, and will do what it takes to better his life and equally life of those around him. Politics has provided a completely different fight for the former UFC man. The comparisons between the two prove that both are unforgiving.

He laughs,” One thing I have learnt about politics and MMA is that politics is a dirtier game. At least in MMA you know who is coming at you, it’s the guy in front of you. In politics you don’t know who is coming at you. They’re your friend and shaking your hand one day, then the next they’re your enemy. The politics world is very peculiar, and people will come after you to score points in polls and against parties. It is a very nasty game to play. I’m just in this to try and make people’s lives better, all of our lives. It’s not about my views, or trying to bash something home that is unnatural. I just want everyone to have enough money and a home. I’m wanting to make normal people realize that the guys in the suits aren’t the ones who have all the answers. Maybe the guy in the tracksuit has the answers as well.”

Paddy’s advice to those starting an MMA career revolves around having the right people with you. Typically mentioning togetherness, having the right soldiers to go to war with.

“Be very careful who you throw all your loyalty too because in a fighting sport, we’re on the battlefield and we’re going to war. Be sure the people you surround yourself with are the right ones. You don’t have to be in the best club to make it. You have Youtube, you can message other fighters and train with them. You don’t have to have all these fancy things”.

“I would say go back to that Rocky mentality, or that Clubber Lang mentality, where you’re just in a basement getting after it. I feel that maybe that has gone a little bit. If that came back, we’d start seeing that hunger, that zest for people that will not stop until they’ve got it.”

A true warrior, mixed martial artist and Irishman. Paddy and “The Hooligan” have their own legacy. The desperation that created the motivation; created a success story.

Images by:

Adam Osbourne – The Art of MMA

Paddy O Holohan

Wikipedia

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SO YOU THINK YOU’RE TOUGH !

Post author By f/s
Post date October 3, 2020

‘Blood, sweat and tears’ is a common phrase in the world of boxing. For those who have shared a ring with another combatant, or even those who have tried their resolve in a local amateur gym, the idiom draws an incredible parallel to the fierce and unforgiving nature of the sport.

Even from the surface, boxing is a vicious practice. It is a world where its participants give every ounce of their being in-order to be successful, but perhaps what is even more alluding is what goes on beneath the surface.

There has been fights such as Arturo Gatti vs Micky Ward, Sugar Ray Leonard vs Marvin Hagler and Muhammad Ali vs Joe Frazier; which have brought fighters to the brink of physical and mental exhaustion; where spectators only see what life is like as a fighter for 36 minutes.

Beneath all the bright lights and flashing cameras is another phrase which many are yet to understand and one which fighters will know all too well; ‘fights are won in the gym’. Arguably the greatest to ever lace up the gloves; Muhammad Ali once said: “I hated every minute of training, but I said don’t quit, suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion”. It’s a phrase that illustrates the sacrifice that fighters make on a day to day basis; one which is little used in sporting conversation and one which truly undermines the true recipe for success in a sport where spectators see just 36 minutes worth of a lifetime of practice.

Train Like a Champ

The tumultuous success of the great Joe Calzaghe echoes the ethos of boxing’s ‘unspoken’ rules. After beating some of the sports best in Chris Eubank Sr, Roy Jones Jr, Bernard Hopkins and Mikkel Kessler and retiring with a perfect 46-0 record, the decorated ‘Italian Dragon’ sheds light on the method behind the madness.

“All of the hard work is done in the gym. Your opponent is going to try and take your livelihood, so I always trained like a challenger and never took one of my opponents for granted”.

“My usual routine would be to train twice a day, six days a week. I would go for a run for 3-5 miles, but when I say run, I don’t mean jogging, I’m running with hills involved, I’m always trying to push myself when I run, and it was the same in the gym. Running was one of the most important things for me, I did a lot of it and because of that I was always fit, it was always mine and Dad’s philosophy to be fitter than the opponent”.

The legendary duo of father and son; Enzo and Joe would deploy a style which many believe to be the greatest to come out of the United Kingdom; with incredible volume punching, fierce forward pressure and unquestionable durability, all of which carefully crafted within grueling fight camps.

“My toughest fight was making the weight for each fight. My life for so many years was waking up, running, training, sparring, jumping on the scales and going to bed. That was the hard bit, but the fight was always worth it. When I jogged, I was running and when I was hitting the bags I was throwing 300 punches a round”.

However, It’s easy to be disillusioned with the reality of it all; the often ‘pointless’ times watching a brave competitor square off against a prime ‘Iron’ Mike Tyson; whom dispatched 22 of his foes within the very first round of their encounters, many uneducated viewers would argue it was “too easy” for the favourite. Beneath the surface however, the fighter who everyone is expecting to win has to rise from sleep in dark hours, punish their bodies for several hours a day, run mile after mile in the bitter morning air, spar eager-to-impress proteges, eat nothing but clean foods, drink up to 5 ltrs of water a day, sleep by 9pm and do it all again the day after that, often spanning some 12 weeks before they even make it into the squared circle.

Tyson’s lifestyle in camp followed a structure of a 4am jog spanning five miles, 6am shower, 10am breakfast, 12pm sparring often spanning 10 rounds; followed by 2,000 decline sit-ups, 500 bench dips, 500 push-ups, 500 barbell shrugs and 10 minutes of neck exercises, 3pm bag-work using double-end bag, focus mitts, slip bag and speed ball, followed by another THREE sets of his famous calisthenics routine, 5pm more focused shadow boxing followed by a further FOUR sets of calisthenics, 7pm another meal, 8pm resistance bike training, 9pm tape study and sleep. This, often spread across a two month camp, would culminate his fearsome fighting prowess, producing performances which often left spectators dissatisfied with the ‘simple’ nature of Mike’s victories.

On average; Tyson would endure 60,000 sit-ups, 15,000 bench-dips, 15,000 push-ups, 15,000 shrugs, 5 hours of neck work and 2,000 rounds of hard sparring before even competing in fights which he was ultimately SUPPOSED to win. It is this unrelenting desire to succeed which separates boxing from any other sport, the degree of sacrifice that fighters must give just to make the walk to the squared circle is often overlooked once the fight is concluded, and it is perhaps the most challenging aspect of the sport entirely.

In contrast, there are also fighters who explore unorthodox ways of training. Tyson’s unmerciful regiment

of strict calisthenics exercises and hard sparring, perhaps old fashioned in its nature but no less effective, can quickly become stale for some fighters, and in particular those who possess a different range of athletic skillset.

Take undisputed lightweight king; Vasyl Lomachenko for instance, and the two approaches to training, albeit for the same sport, have stark differences. Where Tyson pushes through 2,000 sit-ups and 500 push-ups, Lomachenko practices math equations, juggles six balls simultaneously, studies and trains in Ukrainian folk dancing, holds his breath underwater for 240 seconds and walks on his fists from one corner of the ring to the other.

“I went to dance classes as a ten-year-old boy to improve my feet, my father took me before I would train so that I would understand how to use my footwork in the ring. I think footwork is one of the most important things to becoming a great fighter; that’s where everything starts”.

Lomachenko first laced a pair of gloves at the age of three, under his father’s tutelage; Anatoly. Using unconventional training methods; the pair would culminate a training style that mirrored no other athlete, combining mental and physical conditioning with focused footwork drills, isolated cardiovascular tests, quick problem solving and relaxed skill-based sparring, in what would produce two Olympic gold medals, two World Championship gold medals, one European Championship gold medal, one Junior gold medal, the WBO Featherweight title, the WBO Super Featherweight title and the WBC, WBA and WBO Lightweight title, making him the undisputed, unprecedented pound for pound best.

Similarly following the guidance of her father; Katie Taylor also followed an unconventional path to boxing stardom, but one which similarly aided her development in different areas to other more conventional fighters. In her youth, Taylor represented the Republic of Ireland women’s football team whilst also boxing under the teaching of her father; Peter. Combining the two sports from the age of 11 gave Taylor both the competitive familiarity of top flight sport and the physicality to excel her athletic career. By strengthening her base with explosive kinetic movements in football, Taylor was able to build an incredibly strong ring presence which saw her capture an incredible 18 amateur titles, some of which whilst still playing international and club football, and eventually the undisputed women’s lightweight championship.

JOHNNY GARTON

Post author By f/s
Post date March 11, 2020

When I retire, I’ll probably take a year just to take that step back from it totally and so I can spend time with my family. I know that I will miss it and I will find it hard because it’s played such a huge role in my life”.

JOHNNY GARTON

Johnny ‘The Pexican’ Garton, a seasoned professional in the fight game enters his last year as a professional fighter. The former British champion looks to seek revenge on the fighter that took his crown in hope of sitting atop the tree again. Johnny walks us through his last year in the sport and takes us on a trip down memory lane, looking at where it all began and the standout moments in what has been an impressive fighting career.

At 18 years of age, Garton embraced the pleasures that early adulthood brings, that of course is the sport of binge drinking and late nights spent trying to muster up an order in Peckham’s local takeaways.

Looking back, Johnny can thank the sambuca-filled weekends for unearthing his boxing talent.

“I started going to the LYNNN AC when I was 18, just to lose some weight. At the time I was going out drinking a lot and eating too much junk food, so I needed something to get the weight off”.

Fast forward 12 years and a quick look across Garton’s resume will tell you all you need to know about this fighters veterancy and experience within the fight scene.

The Pexican currently boasts and impressive 24 wins and two losses and has once laid claim to the British welterweight title.

Garton’s taste of lucrative silverware was successfully quenched back in October of 2018. A battle at the Brentwood Centre saw the 32-year-old crowned as the British champion over his opponent Gary Corcoran. This fight would be remembered in high regard as of Johnny Garton’s many nights in the ring.

“This was by far my best night in boxing. To win the British title was an absolute dream come true and it’s something that I’d never thought I could achieve”.

“This fight was nominated for fight of the year but, it was Carl Frampton who ended up nicking that award”.

“I’ve had some amazing nights. I remember at the start of my career, not many people believed I would go on to win the Southern Area title but, I did, and I went on to defend it twice and then won the English title. From there I had a cracking fight for the IBF European belt, so I would say I’ve had my fair share of great nights in boxing”.

After successfully becoming the British champion, Garton faced his first defence of the belt in March last year. The Pexican faced off against Chris Jenkins at Kensington’s Royal Albert Hall, a venue treasure for it’s hosting of spectacular concerts and events and this rendition of a British title fight certainly fit the bill.

Chris Jenkins emerged victorious on the night earning a unanimous decision on the scorecards and becoming the new British champion. Garton struggled to shift through the gears in the fight and is fully aware that his performance was far from what we’ve become accustomed to.

“It was a good fight but, it didn’t go my way. I decided to take a break after the fight because I didn’t feel myself in there. The whole time I’ve been a pro I’ve never taken a break and I think that was a big factor in my fight with Chris, not to take anything away from him”.

“There’s a few mistakes I’ve had for a while and I think Chris exposed them on the night”.

One year on and the former British champion has the steppingstone to become the champion once more. Johnny Garton is scheduled to take on Chris Jenkins in what is a highly anticipated shot at revenge for the Pexican at the O2 arena.

“This is going to be a non-stop great fight; you will see a better me I know that for a fact. Just expect an all-out war from start to finish”.

“After the first fight with Chris I had the opportunity to fight Connor Benn or I could have a rematch with Chris. I chose the rematch because Chris Jenkins has something of mine, and I want it back.”

“This fight is personal to me; he beat me and took my belt and I don’t like getting beat. I like Chris, I’ve got a lot of respect for him but, at the end of the day he beat me, so I want my revenge”.

As his boxing career draws to a close will Garton pursue a life driving young fighters in the gym crafting future champions or will he put down the laced gloves for good?

“I like the idea of coaching. If I was to go into that I’d probably start in the amateurs and go from there, but when I retire, I think I will take a break from boxing. I’ll probably take a year just to take that step back from it totally and so I can spend time with my family. I know that I will miss it and I will find it hard because it’s played such a huge role in my life”.

Garton finished off with a message to those who have stuck by him throughout his career, the supporters and fans that show their appreciation at each fight.

“I can’t thank them enough, they have been incredible throughout this journey, they’re always loud and the atmosphere is always electric. People always comment about my support because they are so loud and rowdy, they make the night even better”.

“I’d like to thank all my sponsors and my team and everyone that has stuck by me, they have all been brilliant”.

MAX MUDWAY

Post author By f/s
Post date March 2, 2020

March 2, 2020

“Boxing has helped me in so many ways personally and socially; it’s taught me the importance of discipline, how to conduct myself properly in all aspects of life, and to respect people. Without it, my life could’ve easily followed another path. I got heavily involved in the festival scene when I grew up and it really started to affect my training, and that lasted for a few years”.

Over a decade ago, Jon Pitman; owner of Fight Factory Gym, walked into Stroud’s Maidenhill School to run extra-curricular activities with pupils.

Here the Gloucestershire trainer would teach the arts of unarmed combat to a group of eager students; showing them the ropes of the sport, encouraging an active lifestyle, and preaching the value of self-discipline.

What Pitman didn’t expect is to find one of his most prolific proteges on his visit, in the form of baby-faced, 13-year-old Max Mudway (4-0).

Fast forward through an 11-year partnership which saw the Stonehouse kid develop his craft through a high-level amateur campaign, Mudway and Pitman are set to make a case for domestic kingship after dispatching all three foes at professional level in convincing fashion.

“My trainer (Pitman) first met me at my school when I was 13-years-old. After I took part in a few of his classes he asked if I would come and train at his gym in Gloucester, and 11-years later I’m still there” said Mudway.

After scouting the youngster at a tender age, Pitman wasted no time in honing the skills of the future prospect and quickly entered Mudway into prestigious amateur tournaments, whereby the pair won their first silverware in the Reditch Box Cup, when teenage Mudway beat a man 12-years his elder.

“When I fought for the Reditch Box Cup, I was just a 17-year-old boy against a 29-year-old brute of a man and I still managed to win the gold medal. I fought 27 times as an amateur and won 23 of them, all at a good level whilst I was still learning”.

In a short space of time, the partnership was beginning to yield exponential success, and the young schoolboy would quickly grow into a man under the tutelage of his original creator. From the first time lacing a pair of gloves at 13-years-old to winning a domestic tournament just 4 years later, Pitman had orchestrated a fighter with serious technical and physical ability who was quickly emerging as one of the most respected prospects in the region. Throughout this transition however, the first temptations of adult-life would begin to hinder the journey of the bright prospect.

It was in these years that the talented Super-Welterweight would begin to drift in and out of the gym, exercising other interests and consequently neglecting the discipline that had brought him so much success. Often a dangerous pattern in most fighters, where the fire begins to dwindle and distractions begin to jeopardize development, the once prosperous youngster was in danger of wasting an array of skills that he had worked so hard to prefect. It was a period in which Mudway would experience all of life’s offerings, both good and bad, until the realization of his true purpose a few years later.

“It wasn’t until I turned 23-years-old that I finally realised it was now or never and I either use the potential so many people knew I had or just let it waste away. Now, I’ve become a professional boxer and I’m a highly respectable prospect who is capable of achieving big things in my future”.

Now on the straight and narrow, Mudway plans on wasting no more time. He vows from this point on, it’s ‘no boxing, no life’. Equipped with a strong amateur pedigree, credible power in both hands, silky skills and a new-found purpose, the 13-year-old protégé from Stonehouse has correlated over a decade of sacrifice to earn his right to challenge for the domestic jewels.

“Training has been amazing. I’ve been getting top quality sparring in with lads from St. Joes in Wales and with Owen Cooper in Worcester, usually sparring twice a week without fail. Most days I’m training twice a day, with pad-work, roadwork and sparring, whilst also running PT sessions at my gym to help out with some money along the way, which usually starts at 6am most mornings. If I’ve got sparring scheduled early doors, I’m up now at 4am for a 3-6 mile run before, and to walk my dog of course. There’s not really a good 20 minute gap to sit-down now, I’m always in the gym”.

Crediting his early fondness for the “pure aggression” of fighters such as Mike Tyson and Nigel Benn, the student of the sport now finds value in the education of the sport’s elite tacticians; the Lomachenkos and the Spence Jrs, culminating Mudway’s belief that he truly can “do it all”.

“I believe I have all of the skills and attributes needed to go all the way in this sport. I don’t plan on losing ever, I want to go as far as I possibly can”.

Now 4-0 as a professional, the 23-year-old is looking to harness over a decade of development and challenge the kingpins of the Super-Welterweight division. Alongside his original trainer, Mudway and Pitman are eager to add more silverware to their cabinet and realize the true potential of their pairing in the sport.

Action images by Connor Elliott Photography

“In the near future, I want to win the Southern Area title. From there, I want to secure the British title and look to fight for world titles after then. My opponents better be prepared for what I’ve got because they’ve never fought anyone like me, my movement is slick and I have serious punching power”.

Despite his talent, there is no escaping the fact that Mudway could end up a victim of his past, having suffered lapses of concentration throughout the years, resulting in the disillusion of his true potential as a prizefighter. Mudway, who has since cleaned up his act and done so on his own accord, vows there is nothing else he wants now, than titles.

“Motivation is easy for me now because I love what I do. As soon as I flipped that switch in my head and decided to turn professional, I knew that it was what I was supposed to be doing all my life. Sure, when I’m resting, I’m mixing my own tracks and listening to some Drum n’ Bass, but boxing is what I love”.

From kid-dynamite, to wasted potential, to reinvigorated soldier, Max Mudway now looks across the division in search of titles, and claims there won’t be a foe strong enough to upset his plans of stardom.

Buy tickets For Max’s next fight HERE

Max would like to thank his army of loyal fans, follewers, supporters and sponsors for the continued support:

Planet logistics
The goodness kitchen Stroud
Bespoke MDF
Pugh+
Kib lec electrical
Sysums barbers
RM decorators
RSG construction

DEAN DODGE

Post author By f/s
Post date February 10, 2020

“Always remember where you come from, you should never forget your roots. They have helped make you what you are today, so no matter how far you get in life remember how important it is to stay humble”.

FIGHT SCENE CATCH UP WITH DEAN DODGE

At the very top of the scale stand the prestigious greats like Floyd ‘Money’ Mayweather. People often see the array of super cars and luxury condominiums and overlook the path it took to reach such a point.

26-year-old Dean Dodge’s story is a tale of grit and determination that epitomises the very meaning of hard work.

At the fruitful age of 11, Dean found his way into boxing through playing football.

“Like a lot of young kids, I wanted to be a professional footballer. My coach sent me down the gym to help increase my fitness and from there I discovered the sport of boxing”.

“I spent most of my amateur career at Yeovil ABC. I left when I turned 15 and ended up coming back at 18, since then I’ve dedicated my life to it”.

After a successful stint in the amateurs, Dean decided it was time to progress through the ranks and become a professional fighter but, plans began to fall through, which resulted in some major setbacks for the young boxer.

“I had around 45 at amateur level and I was boxing at an elite level, so in 2016 I decided to turn pro. Unfortunately, it wasn’t to be, I failed my medical and after that things started to spiral”.

“Life started to test me. I ended up losing my job and became homeless, I was spending cold nights in the car until some close friends were able to help me out and give me a place to stay”.

With the support of those close to him, Dean was able to take steps in the right direction and move one step closer to bouncing back.

“I knew it was time to get back on my feet, so I started searching for a new job. Luckily, I found work fairly soon and this was around the same time I met my trainer, Dean Lewis and together we worked at getting back in the ring”.

Things certainly weren’t going to get easier for Dean, he still had a tough road ahead of him if he was to bounce back stronger than ever.

“I remember having to wake up at 5.30am to get to work for 6am. I’d work in a factory from 6 until 2pm and then I’d commute to the gym, which was a one-and-a-half-hour journey. I’d train and then head home. In total it was a two-and-a-half-hour round trip and I would do it at least three times a week in order to train with Dean”.

“Eventually, I contested my medical and I had my licence rightfully returned to me and just like that I was back and now I’m undefeated in nine fights”.

Now three years into the fight scene, Dean has strung together an impressive nine straight wins and is evidently learning a lot each time he steps out into the square circle.

“Once I started stepping up to the six round fights I found that I had a lot more time and I didn’t have to rush as much as I did in the four round contests, where opponents would try and run and I’d have to rush to try and stop them. The six rounders have definitely taught me how to stay composed, so I’m more disciplined in that respect”.

Across those three years, Dean has also been able to craft and enhance his favoured and deadliest tool, the left hook body shot.

“As fights start to head into the later rounds and your opponent starts to gas out, a left hook to the body can really finish them off”.

“To perfect it, it’s all about repetition, doing it over and over again. I’ll do repetitional pad work, lots of drills and I try to use it a lot when I’m sparring to make sure it’s ready for fight night”.

One thing that many professional fighters have in common is a great source of inspiration, whether that comes from someone close by or from one of the all-time greats and hall of famers within the fight scene. Dean’s source of inspiration comes from Marcos Maidana, a former world champion that he can relate to on more than just a competitive level.

“I respect that he has a real rag to riches story. He grew up in a tough environment in Argentina and basically carved this fighter, a world champion fighter out of nothing. I like that he didn’t stand for any madness and he was always a humble guy”.

“I like his aggressive style and it’s something I try to emulate, I would say I’m an aggressive fighter and like Maidana when he started out, I haven’t got a lot going for me financially but, I’ve got that hunger and I’ve got heart”.

Dean will look to record his tenth consecutive win and retain his undefeated status on the 21^st of February and preparations for that battle against Sean Davis are well underway.

“Every camp I’ve had in the past I usually end up with some sort of niggle or injury but, this time around I’ve had no injuries, no sprained ankles and no bad hands, so everything is going weirdly at one hundred percent”.

Dean’s message to the fans was nothing short of thrilling as he weighs up for an exciting bout at the Wellsprings Leisure Centre in Taunton.

“Expect carnage, expect aggression and expect violence. That is what I’m there to give out and that’s what I like to give to the fans, a show. I’m a fan-friendly fighter”.

Looking beyond the 21^st of February, Dean is brimming with ambition to progress through the ranks and earn his way to cement his name on a title fight.

“In the short term I hope there are some big opportunities on the way, this is something I’ll have to discuss with my manager but, I’d love a southern area title fight or an English title fight”.

“Long term, I definitely want to become the British Champion, one hundred percent”.

Dean finished up with a message that represents the man that has made his way up from nothing, lost it all and bounced back to become even stronger.

Buy Tickets for Dean’s next fight HERE

Visit Dean’s website HERE

Read more on The Rise of a Warrior HERE

Dean would like to thank his army of loyal fans, sponsors and followers for the continued support: Camelot Builders, Paragon Services, El Diablo, Tom Hawk Doors Ltd, Penmill Scaffolding, The T Shirt Shop Weston Supermare

Read more on Penmill Scaffolding HERE

ROBBIE VERNON

Post author By f/s
Post date February 5, 2020

“You’ve got to have a sound mind in boxing and for me the motivation of winning is something that just keeps me going”

FIGHT SCENE CATCH UP WITH ROBBIE VERNON

What did you want to do when you were just 8 years old? The usual answer would be something along the lines of playing with friends, riding a bicycle down the street, or playing video games after school.

But for Welsh-born Robbie Vernon (5-0 w), the only thing on his mind growing up was boxing. The Super Lightweight fighter first walked into Ferndale Boxing Club at just 8 years old, and has since developed his craft over a thirteen-year period.

After literally growing into an adult with his hands wrapped in cotton and fists laced in leather, Vernon turned professional at the youthful age of 23, dispatching his opponent (Joe Jones)(0-2) via TKO in October 2018, and although still very premature in the professional game, has enjoyed multiple successes as an amateur protégé.

Vernon, also sparring partner of IBF Featherweight World Champion and fellow Welshman Lee Selby, won seven schoolboy Championships, two bronze and a silver in the British Championships, and gold in the Tammer Cup in Finland, compiling an extensive amateur trophy cabinet and a reputable pedigree.

You could say someone who only wanted to box from the age of 8 was destined to win gold, but Vernon’s unquestionable dedication, and at such an early age, shows there was no luck in his storied road to today.

“Although its good to have an amateur pedigree, the professional game is completely different. My style is better suited to the professionals, but it’s all collectively part of developing as a fighter” Vernon said.

“I’ve been able to develop from 8 years old. It’s all about staying consistent. Sparring Lee Selby as well is such an educational experience. He’s such a tough fighter to spar, his pressure is brilliant and he just doesn’t tire. I can’t really get much better sparring than (Lee), and I’ve noticed such a development since sparring him, it really is the best thing for me sparring against world class opposition.”

Vernon’s turbulent amateur career, despite capturing over 11 championships combined, was still not shy of set-backs. Established names in the amateur circuit such as Archie Sharp (14-0 w/7Kos) and the McCormack twins all boxed Vernon and managed to outpoint him, but overcoming these initial hurdles proved to be relatively easy for someone with the determination that he possesses.

“No one wants to lose but for me that was really beneficial to my development. You’ve got to have a sound mind in boxing and for me the motivation of winning is something that just keeps me going. You have to lose in-order to become better.”

Sometimes in life the set-backs allow us to come further forward than ever before, and for Vernon, the feeling of losing was another driving force behind his unquestionable determination to become not just the best boxer, but the best person he can be.

Now very early on his professional campaign, Vernon’s day to day routine in fight-camp speaks volumes of his mentality and attitude towards such an unforgiving yet rewarding sport.

“On a normal day (in camp), I’ll wake up at 7 o’clock for strength and conditioning (squats, deadlifts, bench press, plyometrics and calisthenics) which lasts for 2 hours, then I’ll go back home and sleep for another few hours. When I wake back up, usually around 11, ill be in the boxing gym doing sparring, pad-work, bag drills, shadow boxing, and then back home for another few hours of sleep, and then back up later on to do my road-work and occasionally a sauna session to help shed the weight off me in the evening. Sometimes I’ll even do an extra run at night just to keep myself ticking over, and obviously I have my meals and nutrition planned throughout my day.”

With sparring the likes of Lee Selby and having such dynamic experiences already in the ring, Vernon also credits his amateur days toward his understanding of the technicalities of being a professional prize-fighter. The amateurs, unlike the pro-game, requires fighters to point-score with clean and precise punches, often serving as a catalyst for technicians to perfect their skills in the squared circle. A common characteristic of a seasoned amateur fighter is an excellent jab. Knowing when and where to use it is a skill that even the most experienced of fighters can rarely master, and is something that Vernon regards with great importance.

“Without a doubt the jab is the most important punch in boxing. It allows you to lign up your opponent, and set-up all your other shots. There isn’t another punch that is as important as the jab, and the amateurs definitely teach you that, through the point-scoring system. You can have a fighter who has all the skill in the world too, but you still have to make it to the end of the fight, and that is a skill in itself.”

Vernon now looks forward in his professional career, and much like in the amateurs, he can’t help but envision a championship belt around his waist. Vernon is keen to see where his development can take him and looks toward the bigger fights in the Super Lightweight division.

“I would like to say in five years time I’ll have some titles, I’m still taking each day as it comes and seeing where I can go. I’m a very respectful man and I understand what is needed for this sport. Everything is a learning curve.”