Debutant watch - Sheldon Purdy
After a short but successful spell in the amateurs, Leicester’s Sheldon Purdy will be taking off the head guard to make the transition into professional boxing. The 26 year old would fight at straw-weight if the division existed in the UK, so he is forced to campaign in the flyweight division which may be short on numbers but is not short on quality boxers.
Sheldon, who is known as “Don’t Blink” will make his debut on a Clifton Mitchell promoted card in Leicestershire on Sunday 25th September.
How did you first get involved in Boxing?
I didn’t start boxing until I was 22 but I always knew I could hit hard. Basically when we were on a night out in town and the punching machines were there I could hit it harder than the big guys. I could wait there and watch loads of people hit it and then step up and beat their record. I thought if I can do this comfortably I might as well get into boxing as I will only be facing people my size. So that’s exactly what I did . The coaches were impressed from day one and say that pound for pound I’m a very hard puncher.
Did you have a boxing idol when you were younger?
I have been interested in boxing all my life, I used to love Mike Tyson. I really enjoyed watching Naz because of his confidence and his punching power.
Did you do much amateur boxing?
I just won the novice title in January against Sammy Cantwell (son of Mickey Cantwell) who is a good southpaw fighter. I beat him 17-8 in the final. I won that title in my 11th and final amateur fight, I only had ten fights before that because there are not many people at my weight. It took me about five fights to throw my first jab. I was so busy chasing them down and trying to use my power to win the fight. In the end I realised im not going to beat everyone like that so I started to learn how to box too.
How did you know the time is right to turn pro?
I turned 26 and thought to myself there’s not point hanging around I just need to do it now. I haven’t got the experience of the guys that I will be facing but you don’t get a lot of time in this game. Plus, I just felt if I’m going to do this for free in the amateurs then I might as well turn over and start getting paid for it. I think its going to be harder fighting at the lower weights because other guys making their debuts could be fighting guys that have never won a fight, they have the luxury of being broken in with a couple of journeymen. In my division you don’t get journeymen and you have to be willing to be matched hard from the start. I am walking around at straw weight which is where I wanted to compete, but in the UK it’s not possible so I will have to travel abroad to get the fights. I have to put on half a stone just to fight at flyweight. Generally you have to travel to Columbia, Thailand and Philippines to get fights at those weights. It’s something I am happy to do and don’t mind funding it myself.
Do you see a difference in the pro/ amateur game?
Firstly the training is a lot harder. Also I will be placing a lot more attention on bodywork. As an amateur you don’t score as much on the body shots but as a pro I will be focusing on this area. Do you work full time alongside boxing? Yeah, I work as an electrician during the day. In September I will be taking pretty much the whole month off to concentrate putting the finishing touches to my training camp.
What sort of fighting style do you have?
I am a very, very big puncher, but Clifton and myself know I will be fine up at flyweight. If I was fighting as a straw weight I would be like a Mike Tyson figure, just walking my opponent down trying to take them out. In an ideal world I will be fighting at straw weight, I just think why make it hard for yourself fighting heavier guys when I could fight people at my preferred weight. If I have to fight at the higher weights I will have to be more patient, pick my shots and then look for a finish.
What ambitions/expectations do you have for your pro career?
I believe I can win a world title and if I didn’t I wouldn’t be in the sport. I love the sport but it’s not a hobby to the point where I want to get punched in the face. I honestly believe my punching power is world class, its not something that I want to rely on but it is a huge advantage.
