DAILY SPORT catches up with talented Light Heavyweight Miles Shinkwin ahead of his pro debut.
PZ: How did you get into boxing?
MS: My dad was a professional and my two uncles were professionals aswell, so that initially got me interested and involved. I was about seven or eight years old when I first walked into the gym, and then never looked back.
PZ: Do you have a day job?
MS: I’m a heating engineer.
PZ: You had a highly decorated career as an amateur. Tell us a bit more about those days.
MS: I was very good as a junior and I won the national schoolboy championships in 2003, twice won the NABC championships and in 2004 picked up the bronze at the Schoolboy Olympics. But then I drifted a little bit. When I reached the age of about 17 or 18 I still wasn’t mature enough to take it seriously. Thankfully I had my dad in my corner all through my amateur career and he steered me in the right direction. By the age of 21/22 I was starting to take things seriously and decided it was time to turn pro.
PZ: Toughest fight you had in the amateurs?
MS: I fought a Mexican guy at the Junior Olympics and broke my hand on his jaw with my first punch. That was probably the toughest fight as I could only use one hand, and he was a big old boy also!
PZ: Anything to say about Team GB’s performance in the Olympics this year?
MS: I thought they did great. It just goes to show that if we can put some, money, time, effort and decent training camps, what we can achieve. It proves that the money and time that was invested four years ago has paid off now. Just look at the number of medals we won!
PZ: Do you think boxing should be brought back into the school curriculum?
MS: Definitely. I believe every kid could benefit from learning self defence of some kind. The discipline is great. I didn’t get in trouble when I was a kid, but I could have easily ended up in trouble without the discipline of this sport. Instead I had a great junior career beating the likes of Ogogo (Anthony) when I was about 16. I think I also became a little complacent at that age, otherwise I could have probably been in with a good chance to have won a medal at the Olympics myself. However – now I’m in full serious training and looking forward to a successful pro career.
PZ: You have your first fight against James Tucker on the 5th October at the Camden Centre. How’s the training camp been going?
MS: Brilliant mate. My last few months as an amateur Jason Rowland helped me, and for this fight has had me sparring with Tony Conquest, who is a weight division above me. He also mentioned that there’s nothing more skill wise that I can teach you that your dad (Danny Shinkwin) hasn’t already taught you. I really liked to hear that. Not just because he’s my dad, but because he’s genuinely a great trainer.
PZ: Tell us about the team around you. Who manages you, promotes, trains etc..
MS: Jason trains me, Tony Conquest who is the WBO International Cruiserweight Champion spars with me. Mitchell Smith also trains down the gym and is also trained by my dad as an amateur. Mickey Helliet doing the magic with management. It’s basically a great team here. We have a laugh, but when it comes down to training the jokes stop and we all put our heads down and give 110%.
PZ: What has your team been doing to adjust your style from amateur to pro?
MS: There’s the old cliché that turning from amateur to pro you need to slow everything down and sit on your punches more. Jason has been ensuring I haven’t lost any of the speed, but in the same breath made me more powerful. As a light heavyweight, to have speed is a major bonus.
PZ: Are there any light heavyweights in the world you model your style on?
MS: Not really. I loved Sugar Ray Leonard growing up and would like to say I model some of my style on him with the flashy shots and the hands sometimes low, but my hands are up when they need to be!
PZ: What did you think of Tony Bellew’s recent performance?
MS: I think he did the job well. Boxing at the end of the day is about winning and not getting hit. Bellew was criticised for not going in there and trying to knock him out earlier, but against a big hitter like Miranda he could have easily got caught early on and lost. Instead he was patient, and when the time was right he took him out which was an excellent performance.
PZ: Where do you see yourself in 12 months?
MS: I’d like to be a Southern Area Champion knocking on the door for a British title.
PZ: Three years?
MS: Gotta aim high haven’t you! I think with a bit of luck, I could be aiming for a world title.
PZ: Any boxing nicknames?
MS: No! None that I will tell you about!
PZ: Tell the readers one thing about yourself not many people know.
MS: I will be British champ in 18 months time!
PZ: If you could spar three rounds with any past boxing legend in your weight category, who would it be?
MS: Roy Jones Jr.
FREE READER COMPETITION:
Win 2 tickets to the fight on Friday night courtesy of sponsor your DAILY SPORT.
All you have to do to be in with a chance of you and a mate being at the fight is text BOXING1 to 07700 376011 (costs 1 standard message) and one lucky reader will be drawn from the all the entries received.
Competition closes on 3rd October 2012 when 1 lucky reader will be picked from all the entries received. Competition helpline 0844 276 0000.
