Ross Burkinshaw the Sheffield Bantamweight has shot to prominence in recent weeks after capturing the commonwealth title in a split decision win over Jason Cunningham. The steel city fighter and former Army man took the fight at very short notice and was a heavy underdog on the night, everyone loves a shock in boxing and we caught up with the man being dubbed Cinderalla Boss Man Who’s record to date stands at :-
Won 13 (KO 7) + Lost 5 (KO 5) + Drawn 2 = 20Rounds Boxed 86 KO% 35
TL – Firstly congratulations on your recent Commonwealth title victory, how confident were you going into the fight at short notice?
RB – I was very confident going into the fight even though I did take it with just four days notice, I’ve changed and matured as a fighter so much since training with Ryan Rhodes and I knew I would become Commonwealth Champion.
TL – What is your earliest boxing memory and what made you take up the sport?
RB – I started boxing at the age of eight I used to always be getting in scraps at school as I was so little so my parents took me to JU-Jitsu for some self defence. We used to spar after and was always better so my Dad asked if I wanted to go boxing. I walked Into Ray Gilliots Hilsborough Boys Club & saw posters on the wall off Paul Silky Jones & Clinton Woods. That’s my first memory in the sport I love.
TL – Who was your boxing idol when growing up and have they had an impact in your fighting style at all?
RB – I had lots of idols Ray Leonard Marvin Hagler, Nigel Benn, Naseem Hamed, Herol Graham,Ryan Rhodes, Clinton Woods and Paul Jones! Hagler & Benn was who I tried to base my style on when younger
TL-What’s it like being trained by a such a decorated fight as Ryan Rhodes?
RB- Being trained by Ryan Rhodes who was one of my heroes growing up is great because I still want to impress just like I did round the Champs when growing up.
TL- To date who has been your toughest opponent and why?
RB- Michael Ramabeletsa is very underrated and one of the toughest kids I’ve fought. He beat me but not taking it away from him I was fighting with a bust cruciate ligament and it gave way in the fourth round so I had to stand toe to toe with him and have a war, my corner threw the towel in but it was too premature but what a tough kid he was.
TL- Are you hoping to defend your title v Martin Ward later this year? How do you see the fight going?
RB- I’m defending MY BELT against Martin Ward on December 13th here in The Steel City he’s a top lad but notice how I’ve already said My Belt! That’s how it’s staying.
TL- You were formerly in the army, do you think this has helped you in your training/preparation for fights at all?
RB- I boxed for the Army Boxing Team for just short of three years the training we did was great and I’ve always continued to train as hard as when I was with the team.
TL-You’ve been dubbed “Cinderella Boss Man” after your shock win recently, what advice have you got to youngsters starting out who wish to emulate you?
RB- For those wishing to emulate me what I would say is “always follow your dream and always believe in yourself! Don’t let no one tell you that you can’t”.
TL- Do you have any regrets in boxing, if so what’s your biggest?
RB- I don’t have regrets Ive got things I dislike from the past but those things have made me the man and the fighter I am today.
TL – Finally, now you’re commonwealth champion where do you see yourself in 12 months time?
RB – From January this year I set out for 2014 to have 4 or 5 fights and get in title contention next year then go for a big title in 2015, now I’ve got that big title within 12 months I’d like to move on to my dream and box for more titles and a World Title. Boxing Britain would like to thank Ross for talking to us and we wish him all the best in his career.
Be sure to follow him on twitter @ROSSTHEBOSS_B and keep an eye on his career!
Interviewed by:
Tommy Lloyd Jnr Follow on twitter.:(@ThomasKingsley) & (@Boxing_Britain)
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