60-SECOND INTERVIEW

Paul Wheeler talks to a man who scares off the rumour-mongers

‘THE WORST RUMOUR ABOUT ME? NOBODY WOULD DARE START A RUMOUR ABOUT ME!’ Charlie Shane

When and why you started boxing:

I started when I was 11 years old. My grandad got me into it in order to keep me off the streets.

Favourite all-time fighter:

[Former WBC, WBA, IBF and WBO super-middleweight champion] Joe Calzaghe, because he had a superb engine and good skills.

Best fight you’ve seen:

Arturo Gatti-micky Ward I – enough said [Ward claimed a majority 10-round verdict in May 2002 following a classic battle in Uncasville, Connecticut].

Personal career highlight:

Winning my first eight-rounder in my last fight [via points decision against Lewis van Poetsch in Maidstone in October].

Toughest opponent:

As a professional, it’d be van Poetsch. He’s teak-tough.

Best and worst attributes as a boxer:

One of my main strengths is that I’m hard to hit cleanly. I’ve got no real weaknesses, but I’m always looking to improve.

Training tip:

Hit and don’t get hit.

Favourite meal/restaurant:

My favourite restaurant is Simply Italian. I love spaghetti and meatballs!

Best friends in boxing:

Unbeaten Southern Area welterweight champ Louis Greene and Daniel Harvey. I grew up with them.

Other sportsman you would like to be:

[Eight-time Olympic gold medallist] Usain Bolt, because he’s a proper character.

Last film/tv show you saw:

[Historical action-adventure TV series] Vikings on the History channel. I love it!

Who would play you in a film of your life:

[Academy Award-winning heartthrob] Brad Pitt, obviously!

Have you ever been starstruck:

Never.

Last time you cried:

When my son Benjamin was born this year.

Best advice received:

When I was advised to turn professional as a boxer.

Worst rumour about yourself:

Nobody would dare start a rumour about me!

Something not many people know about you:

I’m a fairly good artist.

Age: 26 Twitter: n/a Nickname: ‘The Animal’ Height: 5ft 11ins Nationality: English From: Chatham Stance: Southpaw Record: 5-0 Division: Super-middleweight Titles: n/a Next fight: Shane is scheduled to box in Maidstone on February 24.

‘MY GRANDAD GOT ME INTO BOXING IN ORDER TO KEEP ME OFF THE STREETS’

‘THE WORST RUMOUR? NOBODY WOULD DARE START A RUMOUR ABOUT ME!’