As fight night gets closer there is a new kind of new buzz happening in Swindon as I turn up for the press conference for Tank Promotions boxing. The clock is ticking and its getting closer to fight night as I look around the tables have name tags on the chairs are filling up fast ready for the boxers to introduce themselves and tell their part of the story of why they have decided to enter the fight night. For some its about the glory, the prize money or just because. The first one
up is Darren Jones as he tells his side of the story of why he wants to fight, he tells us the audience that it was more of a old revenge that needed to be put to bed from many years ago about a lift to and from a airport that's started this feud off. The other opponent for him is a no show so he casually takes over the set and tells his side of the story.
From the light weight to heavy weight of all different characters and sizes from all around the country, some of all different experiences from cage fighters, back street brawlers to boxers and have trained in all different ways to try and gain the edge.
Laid out on the tables are some of the belts up for grabs not knowing who will be fighting who until the fight night. We met Ciaran a title holder within his weight category beaming and full of confidence as he casually strolls in to sit down whilst his opponent Dean joins him..
Ciaran not saying much casually lets Dean take over the talking, a soft gentle quietly spoken Irishman speaks out with pride, later wearing his Irish colours around his neck
As they face off with each other staring each other up and down looking into each others eyes there is a kind of atmosphere between the two. Will Ciaran be able to defend his title.
I had seen some great characters that night and some quite vocal and then there are the friendly ones or is this the nerves coming through but it seems like they all walk with this coooooool slow casual swagger.
As we move up in weight its almost as if there personalities get bigger like they have more weight to throw about.
Brad for me was a character something that you would of seen in a old Italian gangster movie, full of confidence not talking any crap from anyone who was there to show the others who was boss, it was great to see someone with so much confidence at such a early stage.
As we see the others join Brad the tone of the mood soon changes with the faceoff. From different clubs and different trainers not really knowing much else about the opponents apart from the confident stare and little smirk that they tend to give each other.
As the night draws to a end its the heavy weights turn to talk about the fight and this is going to be on hell of a fight on fight night Lee Sims who has been training hard preparing himself for the night with no real white collar fights behind him this will be a first for Lee to step into the ring.
With every opponent that comes there seems to be a bigger man, more bolder and courageous than the other and often more to say. Ali Hughes a man of great size and posture staring at Lee as he takes the mic and tells him straight "bags don't punch back"
A good few of these have got other experience within the field including cage fighting and up next was Damien Andrews and Nigel Harris. Damien looked the part a no bullshit guy looked like he belonged here longing to be part of this ready for the night.
As the night rolled on the other gentle giants approached the tables to earn there place at the press conference, the cool calm friendly guys the full of tattoos, ones with patients with no bother at all a kind approach and placid personality to match.
Then there Grant Mallinson, the quite tone lad built like he was made for war who had a presence about him the kind of man who was the protector in life not fazed by what any of the others had to say.
From far and wide they will travel Aine Matthews who trains in spartans gym in Chippenham the only show on the night for the women’s bout will face other opponents from futher afield.
No matter what the event will hold on fight night I have learnt through life don't judge a book by its cover, some of the fighters may have this heavy stare or soft baby faces who you would of thought they wouldn't harm anyone, but i like many others will have their own favourite. Its not going to be a easy journey for any of them, but anybody on the board could take the night and go home with a big prize pot for the winner its going to be one hell of a night!
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