Boxing and Uni
Boxing and Uni
Throwing this out there, are there any boxers who've boxed professionally whilst still educalating at university? Would be interesting to see how they manage their time and things.
Re: Boxing and Uni
Nathan Cleverley got his mortar board while fighting professionally. I think it was Pure Mathematics he studied. Can't have been easy.
Last edited by Dan Dares on 27 Mar 2011, 18:52, edited 1 time in total.
-
Wake up call
- Heavyweight

- Posts: 1178
- Joined: 10 Feb 2008, 11:10
Re: Boxing and Uni
Cruiser China Clarke and light-heavyweight Bob Ajisafe are currently students in Leeds.
Thing with uni is that it's often only lectures for about 16 hours per week so it's actually much easier to combine with boxing that a full-time job is.
Thing with uni is that it's often only lectures for about 16 hours per week so it's actually much easier to combine with boxing that a full-time job is.
Re: Boxing and Uni
Studying and writing papers are the biggest bitches though (especially the latter). Sitting through lectures is the easy part.
Re: Boxing and Uni
I went pro at 18 while at uni, at the time I think I was the only uni student to have done this and had some national press, since then poly's started to call themselves uni's so more did it.
It was great really uni gives you plenty of time to train full time.
It was great really uni gives you plenty of time to train full time.
Re: Boxing and Uni
Did it get tougher during the latter years? I've heard the first uni year is supposed to be easy.Coco wrote:I went pro at 18 while at uni, at the time I think I was the only uni student to have done this and had some national press, since then poly's started to call themselves uni's so more did it.
It was great really uni gives you plenty of time to train full time really
Reason I ask is that I've just got into boxing and hoping to go amatuer in my first year, and probably step it up before I finish the course.
Re: Boxing and Uni
I found I had plenty of time throughout the 3 years, also worked the door in the nights and cleaned in the morningAtom Bomb wrote:Did it get tougher during the latter years? I've heard the first uni year is supposed to be easy.Coco wrote:I went pro at 18 while at uni, at the time I think I was the only uni student to have done this and had some national press, since then poly's started to call themselves uni's so more did it.
It was great really uni gives you plenty of time to train full time really
Reason I ask is that I've just got into boxing and hoping to go amatuer in my first year, and probably step it up before I finish the course.
-
lefty
- Heavyweight

Re: Boxing and Uni
Who are you coco?Coco wrote:I went pro at 18 while at uni, at the time I think I was the only uni student to have done this and had some national press, since then poly's started to call themselves uni's so more did it.
It was great really uni gives you plenty of time to train full time.
-
Wake up call
- Heavyweight

- Posts: 1178
- Joined: 10 Feb 2008, 11:10
Re: Boxing and Uni
I don't box but sports writing takes up 25 hours plus of my week and in the last three years I've managed to do a full-time degree, write for various websites and two newspapers (I do a bit of football as well) and work a normal job three days a week as well.
Uni isn't that hard. I'd say it's the perfect time to box because if you're not having to balance it with a job you've got loads of training time. It's much harder for those boxers who have full-time jobs like Gary Davies who does 12 hour days and still has to find time to train.
I graduate this summer and life will become a lot harder, not easier.
Uni isn't that hard. I'd say it's the perfect time to box because if you're not having to balance it with a job you've got loads of training time. It's much harder for those boxers who have full-time jobs like Gary Davies who does 12 hour days and still has to find time to train.
I graduate this summer and life will become a lot harder, not easier.
-
lefty
- Heavyweight

Re: Boxing and Uni
You still boxing now mate or you retired?I know by looking at that your last fight was late last year
Re: Boxing and Uni
I'm still licensed, i'm toying with the idea, i'm not really doing it for the money no more so if I get offered a decent fight with a bit of notice, who knows!lefty wrote:You still boxing now mate or you retired?I know by looking at that your last fight was late last year
-
lefty
- Heavyweight

Re: Boxing and Uni
Well if you enjoy it then why not!I know people always say people box on too long and in certain cases thats true but if you actually love boxing and its not money motivated then i think you should do what makes you happy even if you do risk your health!My philosophy is i think its better to die doing something you love rather than living and being miserable!Just my personal opinion though!Coco wrote:I'm still licensed, i'm toying with the idea, i'm not really doing it for the money no more so if I get offered a decent fight with a bit of notice, who knows!lefty wrote:You still boxing now mate or you retired?I know by looking at that your last fight was late last year
Re: Boxing and Uni
It's a hard habit to break, esp if you are in the gym, the little bit of spotlight is very alluring too, god knows how the top boys cope walking away from that!
Hopefully it won't kill me! But I would much prefer to die in the ring than in an alley with a needle in my arm.
Many of the boys who fight don't have many options in life and if anti-boxing brigade took this option away it would make it more likely that inner city lads would take the wrong routes.
Boxing has been great to me and has substantially increased my choices.
It's just getting punched in the face I can't take!
Hopefully it won't kill me! But I would much prefer to die in the ring than in an alley with a needle in my arm.
Many of the boys who fight don't have many options in life and if anti-boxing brigade took this option away it would make it more likely that inner city lads would take the wrong routes.
Boxing has been great to me and has substantially increased my choices.
It's just getting punched in the face I can't take!
-
lefty
- Heavyweight

Re: Boxing and Uni
Well obviously noone wants to die and god willing that never happens but i think you get the general idea of what i mean.Coco wrote:It's a hard habit to break, esp if you are in the gym, the little bit of spotlight is very alluring too, god knows how the top boys cope walking away from that!
Hopefully it won't kill me! But I would much prefer to die in the ring than in an alley with a needle in my arm.
Many of the boys who fight don't have many options in life and if anti-boxing brigade took this option away it would make it more likely that inner city lads would take the wrong routes.
Boxing has been great to me and has substantially increased my choices.
It's just getting punched in the face I can't take!
Re: Boxing and Uni
Lol I know you didn't mean it like that, it just made me think of making the wider pointlefty wrote:Well obviously noone wants to die and god willing that never happens but i think you get the general idea of what i mean.Coco wrote:It's a hard habit to break, esp if you are in the gym, the little bit of spotlight is very alluring too, god knows how the top boys cope walking away from that!
Hopefully it won't kill me! But I would much prefer to die in the ring than in an alley with a needle in my arm.
Many of the boys who fight don't have many options in life and if anti-boxing brigade took this option away it would make it more likely that inner city lads would take the wrong routes.
Boxing has been great to me and has substantially increased my choices.
It's just getting punched in the face I can't take!
Re: Boxing and Uni
Lol cheers Nick! It was good to see you on Thursday matenicnut wrote:coco you are bonkers![]()
![]()
Re: Boxing and Uni
It is possible to do a degree and a job- more people will be doing that now, as long as the job hours are flexible- driving instructor etc. For sure, some degrees are more demanding than others!
I did history, and got a 2.1 - there certainly would have been time for me to do another job if I'd put the hours in. I worked part time, like most people do.
I did history, and got a 2.1 - there certainly would have been time for me to do another job if I'd put the hours in. I worked part time, like most people do.
Re: Boxing and Uni
Wicked, living in the middle of manchester right next to campus (fornicating pricey) gives me a nice selection of gyms to go to. Aunt should be starting up a post office so I'll be taking a few hours to fund boxing through that.
Oh and, hopefully you're still enjoying the boxing a few years from now so I can give you a nice arse kicking

I've been reading a little into the issues that cause alot of the big pros to end up screwing up, got a PM on one of those self-development forums about how/why it happens and how to control it. I'll post it up in the off-topic section later tonight if anyones interested.Coco wrote:It's a hard habit to break, esp if you are in the gym, the little bit of spotlight is very alluring too, god knows how the top boys cope walking away from that!
Hopefully it won't kill me! But I would much prefer to die in the ring than in an alley with a needle in my arm.
Many of the boys who fight don't have many options in life and if anti-boxing brigade took this option away it would make it more likely that inner city lads would take the wrong routes.
Boxing has been great to me and has substantially increased my choices.
Oh and, hopefully you're still enjoying the boxing a few years from now so I can give you a nice arse kicking
-
lefty
- Heavyweight

Re: Boxing and Uni
Im interested in that forum mate!Sounds interestingAtom Bomb wrote:Wicked, living in the middle of manchester right next to campus (effing pricey) gives me a nice selection of gyms to go to. Aunt should be starting up a post office so I'll be taking a few hours to fund boxing through that.
I've been reading a little into the issues that cause alot of the big pros to end up screwing up, got a PM on one of those self-development forums about how/why it happens and how to control it. I'll post it up in the off-topic section later tonight if anyones interested.Coco wrote:It's a hard habit to break, esp if you are in the gym, the little bit of spotlight is very alluring too, god knows how the top boys cope walking away from that!
Hopefully it won't kill me! But I would much prefer to die in the ring than in an alley with a needle in my arm.
Many of the boys who fight don't have many options in life and if anti-boxing brigade took this option away it would make it more likely that inner city lads would take the wrong routes.
Boxing has been great to me and has substantially increased my choices.
Oh and, hopefully you're still enjoying the boxing a few years from now so I can give you a nice arse kicking![]()
Re: Boxing and Uni
Colin 'Kid' McCauley boxed pro while studying psychology at Sheffield Hallam.
-
el_grande_mauro_mina
- Lightweight
- Posts: 11215
- Joined: 24 Dec 2017, 11:54
Re: Boxing and Uni
Even in jest, that is a very bold prediction for someone who has never boxed before to make to a 53 fight pro veteran - it would take you 6 years learning to box for Coco not to make you look like a monkey in the ring - then your only future would be on a PG Tips advert!Atom Bomb wrote: Oh and, hopefully you're still enjoying the boxing a few years from now so I can give you a nice arse kicking![]()
Re: Boxing and Uni
In my new job the fast majority are workers or with family etc. Its a real big annoying thing when people get granted (above my head) extension due to work commitments. Okay, its a credit crunch time - so can appreciate, but it is supposed to be a "full time" degree. We taylor the course so much so people can work (by cramming the lectures together in 3hour blocks).whicker wrote:It is possible to do a degree and a job- more people will be doing that now, as long as the job hours are flexible- driving instructor etc. For sure, some degrees are more demanding than others!
I did history, and got a 2.1 - there certainly would have been time for me to do another job if I'd put the hours in. I worked part time, like most people do.
What I do find hard to get when doing personal tutoring with these students none have the intention of ever leaving their job - so I am thinking "what you doing the degree for". It seems alot are just doing it for personal satisfaction now, and not career. Good for them I say, but it certainly wasn't the case and my student peers. Although a minority are in jobs related to their degree, all would love to be.
Coco, looking at your record - I was REALLY surprised to see that Scott Dixon is still active. Man I thought he was forced to retire YONKS ago. How was he when you fought him. Boxing in Malta, is that cause of licence issues.