CRAIG WOODRUFF
Andrew Fairley meets a fighter who is most certainly not a Red Devil
When and why you started boxing:
My dad wanted me to train for discipline. I was nine years old.
Favourite all-time fighter:
Mike Tyson – he was exciting and captaviting for me growing up. I also like watching the old footage of David ‘Bomber’ Pearce - what a fighter he was.
Best fight you’ve seen:
Probably the first Micky Wardarturo Gatti fight, or Pearce vs Gordon Ferris.
Personal career highlight:
Winning the British title eliminator and lightweight Celtic title against a very experienced professional boxer, Ronnie Clark.
Toughest opponent:
Gary Cully – an amazing professional and a talented fighter. We had a tough fight that went the distance (l pts 8).
Best and worst attributes as a boxer:
Strengths are endurance and boxing skills, with an amazing coaching team. Weaknesses are my commitment and drive.
Training tip:
Stay dedicated and don’t cut corners. The saying is right: You get what you put in. I wish I had that commitment from the start.
Favourite meal/restaurant:
Large Trilogy Box Meal from KFC, supercharger dip, gravy, Pepsi with no straw and 20 hot wings.
Best friends in boxing:
Luke Pearce (serving RAF Officer) and Johan Berendji of Team SMOA. What they have done for me in five years, with no promotional backing, has been amazing. We have fought for the Welsh and Celtic titles and gained a draw for the British title, including reaching number four in the UK and breaking into the world’s top 50 [on Boxrec].
Which other athlete would you like to be?
[Manchester City footballer] Kevin De Bryune.
Last film/tv show you saw:
Dragonball Z, Family Guy.
Who would play you in a film of your life:
Will Ferrell.
Have you ever been starstruck:
Yes. When I met Ilkay Gundogan, the Man City footballer.
Last time you cried:
When my nan passed away before my British title fight versus Gavin Gwynne (first fight).
Best advice received:
Luke Pearce, telling me I could still fight for the Lonsdale Belt after being out of the ring for four and a half years. He was right – we did it.
Worst rumour about yourself:
That I am a Man Utd fan.
Something not many people know about you:
I am a bit of a nerd.
‘WHAT WE’VE DONE WITH NO PROMOTIONAL BACKING HAS BEEN AMAZING’