Ammanford Sport
Amman Valley fighter turns pro ahead of becoming new dad
7:00am Wednesday 8th February 2012
AMMAN Valley lightweight boxer Chris Jenkins has twin motivations when he launches his professional career in Swansea next week.
Chris and his partner Helen are due to become the proud parents of twin boys in June – and the boxer says the knowledge he will soon become a dad has fuelled his punishing training regime at his Cwmgors headquarters.
Looking ahead to his first fight in the paid ranks against Welshpool’s Russell Pearce at the Oceana Club on February 17, Chris said: “I just can’t wait to get in there.
“I’m nervous, don’t get me wrong, but every boxer should have butterflies before a fight – if they don’t then there’s something wrong.”
The attractive Oceana bill also includes Chris’s older brother Ianto and Tycroes welterweight Leon Findlay.
Ianto, now campaigning in the light-heavyweight division, is expected to take on Llandeilo’s Joe Jones in his fourth professional contest.
And the hard-hitting Findlay, who scored a dramatic first-round stoppage on his previous appearance at the Oceana, will be looking for a repeat performance when he takes on Aberystwyth’s Sean Gorman.
But it promises to be a significant night for 23- year-old Chris, who was formerly one of Britain’s top amateurs yet gave up a shot at the GB Olympic team in order to turn pro.
“Even when I was competing in the Olympic qualifiers my head and my heart were telling me to turn pro,” he said. “I just feel my style will be better suited to the pros.
“I’ve got a great manager in Paul Boyce and a great coach in Ronnie Morris, who has trained me for so long at his gym in Cwmgors. Ronnie knows how to get the best out of me – he knows me better than I know myself!
“My aim is be the No.1 – but all in good time. Right now I’m on the bottom wrung of the ladder and I’ve got a long way to go.”
●Tickets for the show, priced £30, available through Ronnie Morris on 07883029577.