McKeever returns to the ring for terminally ill mother

OK, I will admit it, I was always a Jamie McKeever fan. I followed his journey from the time he stopped touted prospect James Rooney, his victory over cross-city rival Tony Mullholland where he claimed the coveted Lonsdale belt, then his gradual decline which saw him lose his last four fights. So when I was told by Chester pro Paul Economides that he had been sparring with the aforementioned McKeever, I greeted this news with a mixture of excitement and worry. Only recently we saw Michael Brodie come back and lose to a guy who he would have expected to beat in his prime. I had no wish to see one of my favourite fighters go the same way.

My fears were eased slightly when I heard favourable reports about the sparring but I still remained to be convinced. I conducted the interview, largely expecting a formulated 'I'm coming back, I feel great' line of responses. What I got was a heartbreaking tale, enough to break even the most hard of hearts, but also a tale which has lit a fire under this particular pro and has left me convinced that this story isn't over just yet.  In fact, it may still have a long way to run.

We are getting ahead of ourselves. Let's rewind a few years, to mid-2008. Jamie had just been stopped in seven rounds by future Prizefighter winner Ryan Brawley. As previously mentioned, that made it four losses on the spin for the likeable Scouser. This seemed to be supported by the man himself as we never heard anything for nearly two years. Jamie however, never officially retired.

“I never officially retired, I just fell out of love with the game, I always lived the life but I took it for granted. I ended up going in with guys just for a few quid. I had never been in it for the money, it was always about the pride, to test myself. Look at the fights I was taking. The likes of Jackson Asiku who is world class or Ryan Brawley who was up at lightweight, I was a feather. I thought I was better than that so went away for a while.”

Things however, were not to run smoothly for McKeever. If this was a small hiatus, then circumstance was going to ensure a much longer lay off.

“My marriage broke down, that didn't help, we have been separated for a while now.”

Then the bombshell that rocked McKeever's life and brought about this new chapter in his boxing career.

“Last June we found my Mum had terminal cancer; there is nothing they can do for her. She has good days and bad days. Now I am living with her, looking after her. It was my Mum who first came to one of my fights when I was eleven, not my Dad, my mum. She always used to love me boxing, it gave me discipline and kept me out of trouble. She is so happy that I am back with Barry Hearn and Matchroom, she knows they will look after me.”

A mother's love, unconditional and in this case that feeling is obviously reciprocated. Hence a promise that Jamie has made to the woman who gave him life.

“She said she wanted me to win a British title and defend it, so I could keep the belt. I have made a promise that I would do that for her and I never break my promise to anyone.”

It is truly a story to melt your heart. Jamie, throughout his career has given us so much with his heart and energy, now he wants to give his dying mother one final gift. I doubt that anyone in our sport would begrudge him achieving his goal, only time will tell if that is achieved. I can only hope that his mum knows how much her son is admired as that in itself would be a comfort I would guess.

The world, however, doesn't work on hope and good intentions - that's the world of the 'Rocky' films. If Jamie, as some feared, was on the way down, then with all the will in the world, his quest would be ultimately unsuccessful. The boxing landscape is scattered with people's hopes and dreams which have come to nothing. It's a cruel master. Jamie however, feels that he has so much more to offer.

“After I lost the title to (Roy) Rutherford I took a year out because I had bust my hand. Before the (Dazzo) Williams (British title challenge) I did the stupidest thing I could ever do, I got cortisone injections. Then by about round five I could really feel it.

"I went to the docs afterwards and he was amazed I could fight, I had so many fractures. Barry Hearn paid for the treatment so I had another eight to ten months off. So really, I have have had a pretty stop-start career, I have has 29 fights in eleven years and I'm only 30! I'm well preserved, I have never abused by body.

"I have never felt this great since I was champ, I'm actually feeling better. I'm walking around now at 9st 3lb, even when I was champ I walked round at 11st, I'm so well conditioned. I'm like a kid again, living at home, full of energy, it's like I'm 18 again!”

Strong words and words that will breathe new excitement into McKeever's once, and still loyal army. But how far does their General think he can go? Jamie tells us with a mark of certainty.

“I can definitely win a British title. I'm completely rejuvenated, I have got years left in me At this moment I'm just looking for fights to get me back to title level, to bring my confidence back and shake the rust, but who knows, after that I could think of the European title? First things first though, I'm just going to take down whoever is in front of me until I get that British title.”

Who knows what the future will bring? But if Jamie McKeever is successful in this particular journey, we truly will have the best feel-good story in many a year.

And who would could really say, after all the trials and tribulations, sickness and sorrow, he does not deserve it?