The latest recruit to the ranks of Blackpool professional boxers is Ryan Davies.
And if he shows the same persistence and application inside the ring as he has done outside, then he should make a major success of his fledgling fight career.
It has been an achievement in itself for Davies to get a British Boxing Board of Control licence – a quest which lasted over three years.
Davies, due in the ring in Doncaster next month for his second contest, was dismayed when his bid for a licence was rejected because an obligatory test showed a heart abnormality.
Davies was convinced the result was incorrect and set about proving it. He eventually passed the BBBoC test, which enabled him to box professionally.
Davies, who won his first bought against Jason McArdle in Doncaster, said: “After I was turned down by the Board the first time, I was determined to prove to them that I was fit to box professionally because I knew there was nothing wrong with me.
“I took every test you can imagine, but because they were all on the NHS it took a long time. I carried on training as normal and I didn’t have any problems.
“I just knew all the time that I had no abnormality that would impact on my boxing.
“I don’t know what that problem was only that there had been some sort of impulse on my heart, which can be common. Not everyone’s heart is the same.
“All the NHS tests I had showed there was nothing wrong.”
The Blackpool boxer, who fights under the name RP Davies, put his career in the unlicensed ranks on hold. He had been British champion in that grade at both light-middleweight and welter.
He said: “I had one unlicensed fight during that time, just really to keep in shape.
“I finally passed the Board test and I had to have a warm up bout in Preston in front of officials to show I had the skills because I had no previous amateur background.
“Now I want to put all the problems of the medical test behind me and just think about my boxing career.”
Davies who fights Dee Mitchell at Doncaster racecourse on November 7, said: “I can’t afford to hang around as I am 27, so I am having to go in at the deep end very soon.
“I honestly believe I can become a British champion, like Brian Rose.”
Source: Steve Simpson, Blackpool Gazette (25th October 2014)