Debutant Watch: Colin Day

The latest edition of Debutant Watch heads north to Skelmersdale, Lancashire to feature light-welterweight prospect Colin Day. The 27-year-old fights out of the Rydal Gym in Liverpool under the tutelage of coach Rob Butler and manager / promoter Steve Wood.

Colin was a successful amateur boxer who caught the eye of team GB coaches on his way to an ABA national semi-final. He will kick start his professional career on Friday night at the Robin Park Centre, Wigan in a four-round contest against Kristian Laight.

What made you want to start boxing?

“My dad was a boxing coach and he got me started when I was eight years old. It just went from there to be honest and I’m still going now.”

Did you have a boxing idol when you were younger?

“Ricky Hatton was my favorite fighter. I loved the way he threw his body shots, he made it look so easy.”

Did you do much amateur boxing?

“I had 30 bouts as an amateur and won 20 of them. From the age of ten I fought as a schoolboy and then gave up for a few years and came back as a senior. In the last two years as an amateur I got to the semi-finals of the ABA’s, losing to a seeded GB boxer. After that I was asked to go up to Sheffield for a team GB assessment weekend which I was quite proud of.”

How do you know the time is right to turn pro?

“I had been looking to turn pro for a while but when the offer from team GB came in I couldn’t refuse that. I think at 27 I may have been too old for the GB squad so now I can happily knock the nail on the head of my amateur career and get started as a pro. I feel my age and fitness is bang on now and it’s the perfect time to go pro.”

Do you see a difference between amateur and professional boxing?

“I feel they are totally different. When amateur boxing was scored on computers I used to always get to the regional finals and then lose on points a lot. Once it changed to a points system likes the pro’s I got so much more success and this was another reason to go pro.

“I also find the training and conditioning much more serious as a pro fighter.”

Do you work full-time alongside boxing?

“I work for an Oil and Gas firm in their factory. I work shifts so when I work 6-2 I train in the evening and when I’m on 2-10 I get to train early. I find this works better as I’m not rushing around before and after work.”

What sort of fighting style do you have?

“I have a crazy style to be honest, I will be any aggressive counter puncher who likes to go forward. I move in, wait for the shot and counter. I will always be on the front foot which my coaches don’t always agree with.”

What ambitions/expectations do you have for your pro career?

“I am aiming to get to British title level, if I can get that far I believe I can go all the way. If you can win a British title, after that you can move into the big time. There’s no point in thinking about world titles at this stage, I’ve got to work my way up.”