Debutant watch - Craig Kelly

At some point in every amateur boxer’s career the time comes when they have to make a decision on whether to make the transition into the pro game. Craig Kelly feels the time is right to make the move as the professional sport will suit him better.

The 28 year-old will make his debut in the middleweight division tomorrow night (Saturday) on a show in Paisley, where he lives and trains.

He makes 11st 6lbs with ease and has the option of fighting at light-middle if the right fights are offered.

What made you want to start boxing?

I started when I was about 12, I went to a boxing gym and my first experience of boxing was sparring with Willie Limond. I used to play football as a lad but boxing was something I had always wanted to do.

Did you have a boxing idol when you were younger?

When I was growing up I loved to watch Nigel Benn, Chris Eubank and Mike Tyson. I liked them for their power, the way they could just finish fights in style.

Did you do much amateur boxing?

I had eight amateur fights and won four of them, I made it to the Scottish novice final where I got beat by a good fighter who ended up as 20-0 in the (senior) amateurs. I was fighting at 75kg and I am only 5ft 10 so I was a bit disadvantaged against some of the guys.

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

I was getting sickened by the amateur scoring system, In the my novice final I felt like I had boxed the head of the guy and they told me the score was 2-2 and the guy hadn’t touched me, that’s what made me want to turn pro because in the pros it much more in your own hands. It’s so hard to score the fights when you have to have each judge press at the same time, especially when some of the elder guys reaction times are not great!

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

Amateur boxing is much more like fencing, just with pitter-patter punching if you like. You have to get in and out quickly. In the pro game you get more time to pick your shots and plant your feet. In the amateurs you find your getting rushed in your work. If you get a count in the first round of an amateur contest your chasing the fight from the start, as a pro you get more rounds and longer rounds to turn the fight around.

Do you work full-time alongside boxing?

I work full-time installing computer cables and cables for cameras etc. I can spend a lot of time on the road going to jobs. My gym bag is always in the work van so any free time I get I am off to the gym training. A few weeks ago I wasn’t busy at work and was in the gym all the time and I got my weight right down.

What sort of fighting style do you have?

I’m more of a counter puncher; I like to look for openings. In the amateurs I was always chasing my opponent but in the pros I will be looking to throw some feints and punch from all angles. I can push forward but I feel more comfortable on the counter.

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

I want to see how I settle in first, Scottish titles are available again now so that’s something I'm aiming for. I can’t see any reason why I can’t push towards that. I am aiming to keep busy and hope to get out six times a year. Say if I get to a record of 2-2 then I might have to travel to get the fights but I don’t mind going into my fights as the underdog. I’m not just in this sport to make money I will be trying to win every fight. I see Prizefighter tournaments are starting to take in some novices so if you win your first four or five fights then doors can start to open.