JORDAN LARUCCIA
Andrew Fairley talks to a national champion who started out as the cleaner of his current gym
When and why you started boxing:
I was 20 years old. I was looking for a new way to get fit mentally and physically. I also started out as the cleaner at Big Rigs gym.
Favourite all-time fighter:
Arturo Gatti. I loved the way he fought; the heart and determination he showed inside the ring. He is Italian too, which is a bonus.
Best fight you have seen:
I’d have to say the Gatti-micky Ward fights.
Personal career highlight:
Winning the Australasian title back in September. It was my first title as a pro and fighting such a very experienced opponent, Kano Fori, made the win all that bit sweeter.
Toughest opponent:
Definitely Fano Kori. It was tough fight from start to finish.
Best and worst attributes:
My strength would be my fitness. I am able to keep on moving forward and pouring on pressure. A weakness is nnot being as defensively sound as I’d like to be. But we work hard every day to correct this.
Training tip:
Commitment to the sport is probably the biggest thing. No matter how you are feeling on the day, as long as you make the effort to show up to training.
Favourite meal/restaurant?
A nice homemade pasta dish. Any restaurant that makes authentic Italian food is generally my favourite.
Best friends in boxing:
My coach Dayle ‘Big Rig’ Phillips, my manager Tony Tolj and my family at Big Rigs Gym.
Which other athlete would you like to be:
Italian goalkeeper GG Buffon.
Coming from a background in football, I’ve always looked up to how he carried himself on and off the pitch. He’s been an idol of mine for years.
What would you change about professional boxing?
The stigma behind people suffering defeat and the importance placed on zero losses. We risk a lot as it is, so our talent, dedication and hard work shouldn’t be defined by numbers.
Who would play you in a film of your life?
I’d probably have to say Tom Hardy. He is one of my favourite actors as well.
Have you ever been starstruck?
Danny Green was a big one for me. From watching him on TV when I was younger to now having him as a mentor in boxing has been amazing.
Last time you cried:
At a recent funeral.
Best advice received:
Probably from my coach Big Rig: “You only get what you put in, so if you only give 10 per cent, then that’s as far as you will get.”
Something not many people know about you.
When I was 10 years old, my parents took me down to a boxing gym for the very first time and I absolutely hated it.