Heavy Police officer set for first professional boxing fight
Posted: 04 Sep 2007, 11:10
http://www.brightoncitizen.co.uk
POLICEMAN Howard Daley is more used to pounding the beat - but next month he makes his debut as a professional boxer.
The 31-year-old bobby will line up up on the same bill as Chorley's world welterweight champion Michael Jennnings - just 18 months after taking up the sport.
And the former Burnley doorman has set his sights on being a knockout success, targeting a shot at a British title within two years.
The 16-stone heavyweight, who is a part of the Operation Support Unit for the Eastern Division covering Blackburn, Darwen, Hyndburn and the Ribble Valley, will take on the experienced Dave Ingleby from Lancaster at The Guild Hall in Preston on Saturday, September 15.
But despite never having had an amateur fight - he only has seven "exhibition" bouts to his name - Daley is confident he can use his experience as a bouncer and a cop to win.
"I haven't fought at amateur level but I think my life experiences will work in my favour," said Daley, who worked on the door Sidewalk 53 in Burnley before joining the police force five years ago.
My job means I know how to handle myself under pressure and I am not nervous at all. In fact, I am pretty confident."
Daley, who is also a defensive tactics instructor for the police, only climbed in to the ring 18 months ago to help a friend prepare for his first professional fight.
But now he wants to make up for lost time.
"I don't want to hang around.
"I want to get this first fight out of the way and push on from there.I see my future fighting for Central Area titles and then on to British titles.
"I suppose I am quite old to have taken up the sport but heavyweights don't usually hit their prime until they are in their 30s.
"I know I don't have the experience of being in the ring but I have not been in any wars and I am coming in to the game as a fresh fighter."
Coach Alek Penarski believes Daley is the real deal.
"When I saw him for the first time I knew he was a natural," said Penarski, a former British Central Area light heavyweight champion. "He is a big, strong lad and his natural strength and fitness means he can do something in this division."
Daley is part of Team Penarski, which also includes Bolton heavyweight Scott Mitchell, the fighter who he was sparring with when he was first spotted.
"I was helping Scott prepare for a fight when Alek saw me and asked if I was interested in taking up boxing. It wasn't something I had ever thought of before but Alek saw something in me and persuaded me to give it a go."
Daley is now making up for lost time with a gruelling six-day-a-week training programme at Penarski's Horwich gym.
"I've never really been in to other sports but I have always spent a lot of time in the gym and working out," added Daley, who comes from Preston.
"I've set myself a target of two years to challenge for a British title and I'm happy to take on any of the big guys, whether its Matt Skelton, Danny Williams or Audley Harrison."
POLICEMAN Howard Daley is more used to pounding the beat - but next month he makes his debut as a professional boxer.
The 31-year-old bobby will line up up on the same bill as Chorley's world welterweight champion Michael Jennnings - just 18 months after taking up the sport.
And the former Burnley doorman has set his sights on being a knockout success, targeting a shot at a British title within two years.
The 16-stone heavyweight, who is a part of the Operation Support Unit for the Eastern Division covering Blackburn, Darwen, Hyndburn and the Ribble Valley, will take on the experienced Dave Ingleby from Lancaster at The Guild Hall in Preston on Saturday, September 15.
But despite never having had an amateur fight - he only has seven "exhibition" bouts to his name - Daley is confident he can use his experience as a bouncer and a cop to win.
"I haven't fought at amateur level but I think my life experiences will work in my favour," said Daley, who worked on the door Sidewalk 53 in Burnley before joining the police force five years ago.
My job means I know how to handle myself under pressure and I am not nervous at all. In fact, I am pretty confident."
Daley, who is also a defensive tactics instructor for the police, only climbed in to the ring 18 months ago to help a friend prepare for his first professional fight.
But now he wants to make up for lost time.
"I don't want to hang around.
"I want to get this first fight out of the way and push on from there.I see my future fighting for Central Area titles and then on to British titles.
"I suppose I am quite old to have taken up the sport but heavyweights don't usually hit their prime until they are in their 30s.
"I know I don't have the experience of being in the ring but I have not been in any wars and I am coming in to the game as a fresh fighter."
Coach Alek Penarski believes Daley is the real deal.
"When I saw him for the first time I knew he was a natural," said Penarski, a former British Central Area light heavyweight champion. "He is a big, strong lad and his natural strength and fitness means he can do something in this division."
Daley is part of Team Penarski, which also includes Bolton heavyweight Scott Mitchell, the fighter who he was sparring with when he was first spotted.
"I was helping Scott prepare for a fight when Alek saw me and asked if I was interested in taking up boxing. It wasn't something I had ever thought of before but Alek saw something in me and persuaded me to give it a go."
Daley is now making up for lost time with a gruelling six-day-a-week training programme at Penarski's Horwich gym.
"I've never really been in to other sports but I have always spent a lot of time in the gym and working out," added Daley, who comes from Preston.
"I've set myself a target of two years to challenge for a British title and I'm happy to take on any of the big guys, whether its Matt Skelton, Danny Williams or Audley Harrison."
