‘Rocky’ rejected chance to join pro boxing ranks

LEICESTER heavyweight Tom ‘Rocky’ Rudkin tops the bill on a big fight night at Athena next month after turning down the chance to cash in his toughness, writes Matt Bozeat.

Rudkin sees his fight with Eric Sutton on Saturday, March 26 as a step towards his goal of becoming the No 1 on the busy unlicensed circuit – and revealed he was offered another route.

MTK, the world’s busiest management and promotional boxing company, wanted Rudkin to join the professional boxing ranks. The 28-year-old, from Saffron Lane, said: “I believe I could get to a good level in the pros if I could train twice a day and didn’t have to run around trying to sell tickets.

“But I have to work to pay the rent and I know it’s hard to keep selling tickets after your first two or three fights. MTK did say they could put me on the road. I was given the chance to be a journeyman.

“The money is good, but if I won, I wouldn’t get another phone call.

“That’s the way the professional boxing business works.

“They don’t want away fighters who can win and I can’t go in there and lose for money. I’m better than that.”

Rudkin promises the crowd at Athena next month will see a “quality fight”.

Sutton, from Manchester, comes with an impressive ring pedigree.

He had a lengthy amateur career at a good level – opponents included future British champion Ted Cheeseman – before switching to the unlicensed circuit.

Rudkin said: “There are some good former amateurs and professionals on the unlicensed circuit and Sutton is one of the best. He’s the man to beat and I’m going to beat him.”

The match with Sutton shows why coach Elvis Hopkins gave Rudkin his nickname.

The father of two explained: “Elvis says that every time he offers me a fight, I always say: ‘Why not? I will give it a go.’ I never think about it, I just say: ‘Yes.’

“Elvis said I remind him of (Sylvester Stallone’s screen character) Rocky Balboa – and the nickname stuck.”