60-SECOND INTERVIEW

David Wainwright talks to a man who plucked up the courage to ask John Conteh for a photo

‘IT TOOK ME ABOUT 20 MINUTES TO ASK JOHN CONTEH FOR A PHOTOGRAPH WHEN I MET HIM!’ Simon Henry

When and why you started boxing:

I was about 16 when I started. I was interested in learning how to handle myself a bit more, plus my grandad had been a fighter. I fell in love with the sport once I got going.

Favourite all-time fighter:

Sugar Ray Robinson is my favourite, but the most iconic and inspirational is Muhammad Ali. I’d also throw Sugar Ray Leonard and Floyd Mayweather in there.

Best fight you’ve seen:

Matt Hainy vs Martin Concepcion in Whitwick in September 2011.

Personal career highlight:

Fighting Ben Hall [l pts 4] on Anthony Joshua’s undercard at the O2 Arena in October 2014. I took the fight at only four days’ notice.

Toughest opponent:

I fought a guy from Corby four times as an amateur. He beat me the first time, then I beat him the other times. I can’t remember his name, though!

Best and worst attributes as a boxer:

My reach and my jab are my main strengths. My weakness is complacency – switching on and off.

Training tip:

Be open and listen to what other people are telling you. Don’t think that you always know better.

Favourite meal/restaurant:

Istanbul on Narborough Road in Leicester. I like a proper kebab.

Best friends in boxing:

The most inspirational people I’ve met through boxing are [East Midlands fight figures] Billy Wright, Rocky Campbell, Clifton Mitchell and “Hudge” [Ajmal Butt], who I wish I’d met years ago.

‘IF YOU DON’T CAUSE HARM, NO HARM WILL COME YOUR WAY’

Other sportsman you would like to be:

Andy Murray, as I like tennis.

Last film/tv show you saw: [Web series] Cobra Kai on Youtube.

Who would play you in a film of your life:

Idris Elba.

Have you ever been starstruck:

When I met John Conteh. It took me about 20 minutes to ask him for a photograph!

Last time you cried:

When I found out that Sandy Ryan had won a [welterweight] gold medal at this year’s Commonwealth Games in Australia. I know how much it meant to her. She worked so hard for it at the gym.

Best advice received:

‘If you don’t cause anyone harm, then no harm will come your way.’ My dad told me that and it’s always stuck with me.

Worst rumour about yourself:

That I’m miserable and I never smile.

Something not many people know about you:

I’m fascinated by philosophy and anthropology.