‘I USED TO RUN CROSS COUNTRY AND WAS A GOOD FOOTBALLER. IN THE END, I CHOSE BOXING’ Danny Shannon
Paul Wheeler talks to a man with boxing in his blood
When and why you started boxing:
I first started boxing at six years old. I had my first fight on my 11th birthday! I remember I knocked my opponent out in the second round. Both my dad and my grandad boxed. My grandad was a bareknuckle fighter in the fairgrounds and my dad boxed as an amateur for St. Mary’s ABC in Chatham.
Favourite all-time fighter:
Ricky Hatton was a big idol for me growing up.
Best fight you’ve seen:
The Marco Antonio Barreraerik Morales trilogy.
Personal career highlight:
My best achievement is turning pro. It was something I dreamed of as a kid.
Toughest opponent:
James Metcalf [l rsf 6 – December 2014]. That was the hardest fight I’ve had. He broke my jaw in the sixth round.
Best and worst attributes as a boxer:
My strength is my footwork – I’ve got amazing footwork! My weakness is dropping my hands.
Training tip:
Just train hard and put boxing first. Don’t let anything get in the way.
Favourite meal/restaurant:
It’s got to be Nando’s because you can eat there during training camps and because I just love chicken!
Best friends in boxing:
I’ve got loads of friends in boxing in my area. Everyone involved in the sport around Kent are pretty tight.
Other sportsman you would like to be:
I used to run cross country for Kent and was a good footballer. In the end, though, I had to pick one sport, so I chose boxing.
Last film/tv show you saw:
[TV series] Power.
Who would play you in a film of your life:
Tom Hardy.
Have you ever been starstruck:
During my very first interview as a pro, George Groves walked past me and I was a bit gobsmacked for a minute.
Last time you cried:
Probably when my little girl was born. That was three-and-a-bit years ago.
Best advice received:
My grandad, before he died, said to me, “Give up boxing, you’re useless!”
Worst rumour about yourself:
That I can’t hit.
Something not many people know about you:
I can take a shot and I always come to fight.
‘MY GRANDAD WAS A BARE-KNUCKLE FIGHTER IN THE FAIRGROUNDS’
‘GEORGE GROVES WALKED PAST ME AND I WAS A BIT GOBSMACKED’