THE BEAST IS BACKING BOXER JOSH!
The Beast takes 6ft 10.5in teen boxer under his wing
A YOUNG boxer is training hard after securing his big break - thanks to strongman Eddie Hall.
The Beast, from Clayton, has taken 19-year-old boxer Josh Middleton under his wing – which Josh describes as a ‘lifelong dream’.
Josh, from Bradwell, is now a full-time member of Team Beast, with Eddie offering the youngster a full time wage to chase his dreams – just like the opportunity offered to Eddie at the start of his career by local businessman Mo Chaudry.
Josh stands at 6ft 10.5 inches and weighs in at 18 stone. While The Beast has supported him in his career, Josh is also returning the favour and helping Eddie train for his September fight with Game of Thrones star Hafthor Bjornsson.
Eddie said: “I’m preparing for a big fight in September this year against my arch nemesis, Thor, who is 6ft 9in.
“In my search of boxers to help me on my fight journey, I came across Josh, who’s 19 years of age.
“To be put in my place by a 19-year-old kid is a pretty big statement – you wouldn’t hear me say that too often – but I really do believe in the lad.
“I’m a big believer that if you’ve got the nature, if you’ve got those genetics, you just need nurture to flourish. Josh has got the nature and the mindset, so here comes the nurture from me.
“I’m backing him all the way. I’ve maxed his previous wage so that he can quit his job and we’re now on the search for sponsors to help him pay for food, physio, travel, all the recovery methods, to take him to that next level.
“I was given a chance when I was 26 by local millionaire Mo Chaudry. “He shook my hand, told me to quit my job, and said he’d look after me financially – which he did.
“I would not have won World’s Strongest Man if I hadn’t had the support from Mo. We’ve parted ways now, but I’m forever thankful for him. I believe that paying that kindness forward is really important.
“If I can get this young man to be a world champion, and he then pays that forward to someone else, I think it sets a good example for businesses and people in general. If you can, give people that chance in life, and this is Josh’s chance.
“Josh is going to help me in my fight career, and my plan is to help him financially. I’ll help him to get connected with businesses who want to back him and get some exposure in return.
“I want to help him stand on his own two feet, get him away from working a 9 to 5 job, and being a full time pro-boxer.”
Teenager Josh – who has been dreaming of a full-time boxing career – was working in fabrication at A.D. Hall on Chemical Lane when he got his big break after his coach got in touch with The Beast.
Josh said: “It’s all happened really quickly. I only left my job on April 9. It’s all still so new and I’m still in shock but I’m buzzing.
“The plan now is to find sponsors and keep developing and training to help both me and Eddie become better fighters. He’s given me this opportunity and I’m helping him to train for his fight.
“Things have gone really crazy, and everything has happened so quickly. I was only on about 1,000 Instagram followers, and then Eddie mentioned me and it shot up to about 5,000.
“I’m so grateful to Eddie for the opportunity and can’t thank him enough. I’ve wanted this since I was 14 – it really is a lifelong dream for me.”