HATS OFF TO ...
HEAVYWEIGHT FUN AT HULL CITY HALL
... former Hull boxer Lucas Steel who is fast becoming one of the UK’S top professional wrestlers.
The 22-year-old heavyweight is taking part in the Ultimate Showdown at Hull City Hall next week and has no regrets about leaving behind a promising amateur boxing career.
Aformer boxer is taking to the ring next week for an ultimate showdown – as a wrestler. Lucas Steel once dreamed of being an Olympic boxing champion like Luke Campbell, but swapped one ring for another.
The 22-year-old Hull heavyweight is fast becoming one of the UK’S top professional wrestlers and has no regrets about leaving behind a promising amateur boxing career, which saw him cross paths with the city’s gold medallist.
The 6ft 6in powerhouse is now ready to rumble at New Generation Wrestling’s Ultimate Showdown event at Hull City Hall on Saturday, September 29, and says this will be the latest chapter in the best year of his life.
“Six years ago I was in the same scouting session as Luke Campbell,” said the former Longhill Primary and Andrew Marvell pupil.
“He got picked for the Olympic team and went on to win gold. I’d had about 20 amateur fights and won a lot of boxing trophies, even fought for the Yorkshire title. But my heart was in wrestling.
“I’d been a wrestling fan since I was three years old. My dad turned it on the TV and I saw Kane and Steve Austin in the WWE and I was hooked.
“At school, when everyone else was into football, I just wanted to go home and watch wrestling and play with my wrestling toys.
“Then, in 2012, I started training with NGW at the Eastmount Centre, just a minute’s walk from where I lived. I was always bigger than other kids at school and my trainers said I stood out because of my size and because I had a natural talent for wrestling.”
This year, the man nicknamed “The Standout” has dominated all of his opponents since he scored a quick and decisive victory on his debut at Hull City Hall in May.
Lucas then quit his job at Hull’s Odeon Cinema to pursue wrestling full-time and even earned acclaim from WWE legend Hulk Hogan who tweeted “He’s got the look, brother” when Lucas’ proud dad
Mike posted a photo of his son on social media.
“I started doing a few local trainee shows, but my full main NGW debut was this year at Hull City Hall where I used to watch wrestling as a kid. That was a big moment for me,” he said.
“The Standout” overpowered the more experienced Amir Jordan in less than five minutes and, since then, his grappling career has gone from strength to strength.
“This year I’ve wrestled all over the UK, I’m wrestling in France this weekend and I’ve debuted for IMPACT Wrestling, one of the top promotions in America,” he said.
“And who would have thought when I was working at the cinema, selling tickets and popcorn, that I’d be mentioned by Hulk Hogan, one of my idols!”
You can see Lucas Steel in action when NGW returns to Hull City Hall on Saturday, September 29, for “Ultimate Showdown”.
Doors open at 6.15pm and the show starts at 7pm. Tickets are available now from www.britishwrestling.tv or direct from
Hull City Hall Box Office on 01482 300306.