60-SECOND INTERVIEW
Paul Wheeler talks to the eldest member of boxing’s Upton trio
‘I WAS A BIG FAN OF RICKY HATTON, SO I WAS A BIT STARSTRUCK WHEN I STARTED BEING TRAINED BY HIM’ Paul Upton
When and why you started boxing:
I was eight years old when I first started. My dad took me and my brothers [fellow pros Sonny and Anthony] to the gym one day to see if we’d like it.
Favourite all-time fighter:
Marco Antonio Barrera. He was a great all-round fighter who was in some wars.
Best fight you’ve seen:
On TV, it’d be Diego Corrales vs Jose Luis Castillo I. Live, it’d be Liam Walsh vs Paul Appleby.
Personal career highlight:
Winning the Irish superwelterweight title by stoppage [in the sixth round against Terry Maughan in April 2016].
Toughest opponent:
Adam Jones [w pts 6], who I fought in my most recent fight [in December last year]. He is one tough man. He just walks through punches and has never been stopped.
Best and worst attributes as a boxer:
My main strength is that I’m a clever boxer. My weakness is takeaway food!
Training tip:
Never cut corners in training, because once you get in the ring to fight you’ll be found out.
Favourite meal/restaurant:
My favourite meal is steak and mash from either Gaucho or Miller & Carter.
Best friends in boxing:
My brothers and [pro superlightweight] Sean Creagh.
Other sportsman you would like to be:
No one in particular, but I like football, so I wouldn’t mind being a pro baller. I definitely think boxers
‘I WAS ONCE HIT BY A BULL AT A BULLRUNNING FESTIVAL IN ALICANTE’
deserve to be paid their type of money!
Last film/tv show you saw:
Peaky Blinders. Great show.
Who would play you in a film of your life:
Tom Hardy.
Have you ever been starstruck:
I was a big fan of Ricky Hatton growing up, so I was a bit starstruck when I first started being trained by him.
Last time you cried:
When my daughter, Albany Valerie, was born.
Best advice received:
You can never stop learning in boxing.
Worst rumour about yourself:
I haven’t heard any rumours about myself. I never believe rumours anyway. You should wait until you hear it from the horse’s mouth.
Something not many people know about you:
I was once hit by a bull at a bullrunning festival in the streets of Alicante, Spain. Big mistake! You live and learn, I guess!