Estate agent takes to ring to honour dad
ABRAVE son who has shared a lifetime’s passion for boxing with his now terminally ill dad is preparing to climb into the ring in his honour.
Jonathan Parkinson, of Rhyddings Street, Oswaldtwistle, has been in training for six months for a ‘white collar’ boxing bout this weekend to raise money for Cancer Research UK.
Jonathan’s dad Steven Parkinson, 68, a retired steel fabricator from Accrington, was diagnosed with prostate cancer in July 2017.
An initial operation was a success but he has just found out that the cancer has returned and is now terminal.
Jonathan, who said his fellow Burnley FC fan father is also his ‘best mate’, is determined to make Steven proud in the bout at the Dunkenhalgh Hotel, Clayton-le-Moors.
He said: “After dad had his operation he suffered a stroke and was paralysed for several weeks.
“He has lost most of his speech but continues to fight on. His inner strength and resolve humbles me.
“Dad came out of hospital this week and the first thing he said was ‘how’s the boxing?’ He’s determined to be there.
“Our passion has always been boxing and some of the happiest memories I have of us together are watching fights.
“I want to fight back on behalf of my dad and raise some money that might help families like ours in the future.”
Both dad and son were big Carl Froch fans, following his career from ringside, and they have also watched Anthony Joshua live.
Jonathan, a director of Duckworth Estate Agents in Accrington, has been doing 5km runs three times a week, on top of gym boxing sessions.
The 29-year-old will also be supported on the big fight night by his brother Neil and partner Lin Slater.
He added: “When that bell rings I’ll be very scared, despite all the training. But I’ll be thinking of dad. It’s nothing to what he’s going through.
“I owe a lot to my coach Jamie Stranger and corner man Gaz Simpson for their help and support... maybe not as much to Gaz for the black eyes and smashed noses!”
Organised by UK Ultra White Collar Boxing, Jonathan’s fight will comprise three 2-minute rounds.
The event is on Saturday, March 18 and £20 tickets are available from Jonathan by calling 07969 083108. To donate to Jonathan’s cause visit https://www.justgiving.com/JonathanParkinson2.