Debutant watch - Andrew Mitchell

Not every boxer is born and bred into the sport as they are growing up. All fighters have their own story about how they got involved in the sport.

Andrew Mitchell tells BoxRec News about how he fell into the sport he now loves so much. The 26 year-old cruiserweight from Nottingham will make his debut on Clifton Mitchell’s “Graduation Day” card on 25th September.

What made you want to start boxing?

When I was a lad I was always getting into trouble in town. There was one night when I was in a nightclub and got into a fight then got thrown out by the bouncers. That night I was walking home and was thinking I really need to sort myself out. A friend of mine suggested I went to see John Skillen who ran a gym in Loughborough, so I turned up at the gym feeling a bit nervous and the first person I met there was the bouncer who threw me out of the nightclub! I talked to John, who had forgiven me for that nightclub episode and explained I wanted to change and he made me feel very welcome. At the time the gym was more for health and fitness but John decided to open a boxing section too.

Did you have a boxing idol when you were younger?

I was never really into boxing when I was young, I used to watch the big fights like Lennox Lewis vs. Mike Tyson. I wasn’t religiously watching boxing like I do now.

Did you do much amateur boxing?

I had 17 amateur bouts fighting out of Charnwood ABC in Loughborough over a three year period.

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

I didn’t really get on with the amateur game, but never really thought about turning pro. I wanted to be a trainer really but a lot of people said why don’t you become a professional boxer first! I moved to Derby a couple of years ago with my job and Clifton Mitchell seemed to be the man for boxing in the area so I approached him about fighting and here I am, ready to turn pro.

Do you see a difference in the pro and amateur codes?

There is a massive difference, I feel I have progressed as a boxer so much since I have been training and sparring with professionals. Clifton has really helped and everything he tells me I take in and understand. Every time I go to the gym I am learning and improving.

Do you work full-time alongside boxing?

I work as a personal trainer, I work my clients around my boxing training. I don’t work between 8 and 10 in the morning because that’s when I do my boxing training. Then I make sure im free from 4 until 6 in the afternoon to do my sparring.

What sort of fighting style do you have?

Fitness is something I don’t lack, it will certainly be one of my strengths, I like to use my jab and straight punches. I have a lot of lateral movement and I will keep busy for three minutes of every round.

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

I’m not thinking I’m going to become a world champion, I will just take each fight as it comes. I will start off setting myself small goals like trying to pick up an area title. I would be very happy if I made it to be British champion. I fought against Shane McPhilbin twice and was very competitive and he has gone on to be an area champion so I hope I can make it too.