“Just be strong minded. Believe in yourself” – Jamie Wood.
Few words can describe the courage of Surrey boxer, Jamie Wood. Diagnosed with ‘Ewing Sarcoma’, a rare type of cancer that affects the bones and tissues of the body, Jamie has been battling this ruthless disease ever since his diagnosis at seventeen years of age. Now eighteen, he is more determined than ever to overcome the odds and win a world title one day! His story has captured the hearts of not only the public but many famous names of the sport of boxing. Names such as Joe Calzaghe, former WBO inter-contintental lightweight champion, Kevin Mitchell and former heavyweight champion, Tim Witherspoon have all rallied behind Wood, who faces a twelve hour long session of surgery later this month. Nevertheless, Jamie is not perturbed as he remains optimistic that there is “light at the end” as he so eloquently puts it in an interview with us here at http://www.ringnews24.com.
Read on to find out about Jamie’s touching story in his own words:
First of all, Jamie, how are you holding up?
Very good, thanks! Feeling very strong and healthy.
Can you tell us a little about your childhood background?
Well, I’ve always been a happy person since the day I was born. I’ve never been the type of person to get in to trouble. I have always been the sensitive type. I left school when I was ten years of age and I’ve worked with my dad ever since. I was a talented footballer too but I chose boxing. For some reason I just fell in love with the sport as soon as I took it up at the age of ten.
Can you tell us a little about what Ewing Sarcoma is and how it affects you? It’s claimed to be one of the more rare forms of cancer.
Well, it’s a rare form of bone cancer. Not many people get it. It’s more common in younger people. It’s harder to treat because it’s in our bones.
You were diagnosed with cancer when you were 17 which is a pretty young age. It is at a point in time when your life is supposed to just begin. Can you tell us what your thoughts and feelings were when this diagnosis was made?
Yes, it’s quite young. My feelings at first was feeling very shocked, but the first thing I said was what are we going to have to do to beat it! And since then I haven’t looked back and just kept on fighting like a warrior!
You are heading in hospital for a twelve hour surgery session in under two weeks. Can you explain what this is for, and how are you mentally preparing for it? Are you optimistic?
Yes, that’s correct. This is for reconstruction to my mouth due to where I had my first operation to remove the tumor. They removed the pallet of my mouth and eight teeth and part of my right sinuses, so they have to take a bone from my shoulder blade and amazingly insert it in the back In my mouth to make my face stronger so I can box again.
During your battle with this horrible disease, you have received a lot of support from a lot of recognisable names of boxing such as Tim Witherspoon, Kevin Mitchell, Michael Sprott and others. How does that make you feel?
Yes, there’s alot of names who have took the time to support me. For me, it’s the best feeling ever! I can’t explain how grateful I am to meet all these ex and current champions. It’s a dream come true! Not only that but to become friends with them as well.
A lot of boxers have heroes and role models that have inspired them to take up boxing. What about you, do you have anybody in mind that has inspired you? And can you tell us why?
Joe Calzaghe is one of the reasons I took up boxing, but my favourite inspiration was Arturo Gatti. I loved his heart and courage and determination never to give in. Great fighter and a great role model. He definitely is my role model.
Former WBO, IBF and WBC super-middleweight champion, Joe Calzaghe came to visit you at the Trad TKO gym to watch you train which was filmed by ‘Ifilmlondon.’ What was that experience like for you? Did you gain any kind of experience from it?
Oh, it was a brilliant experience, what more can you ask for than to train with one of the best fighters ever to come out of the U.K. Of course, I learned a few tips from him, he’s also going to take me to Wales to train with his dad. I can’t wait for that!
How often do you go to the gym and how many hours do you train for? Are you physically abled to make use of everything that is offered to you there or are there any limits?
Well, before I was diagnosed I was training six days a week. Basically, I was training like a pro and now I have just started to get back In to it. I’m just taking my time and not over doing it.
What is your ultimate goal for your boxing career?
Well, to become a successful amateur and turn professional when I am about twenty two or twenty three and go on from there. Who knows, maybe one day I could become champion of the world!
Do you have any favourite current boxers that you like watching and why?
I’m a big, big Mexican fan! I love all the boxers from there. The likes of Juan Manuel Marquez, Marco Antonio Barrera, Erik Morales, Antonio Margarito, and Saul Canelo Alvarez. I’m a big fan of all them. Mexicans just have something in their blood. Their passion for boxing is mesmerising!
Finally, do you have any words of advice and encouragement that you would like to give to anybody that may be fighting cancer or Ewing Sarcoma, specifically?
Yes. Just be strong minded, believe in yourself and don’t let it get you down when you feel down. Don’t let it get to you because there is light at the end. Believe me, you have to just keep fighting! It will be tough, but it will only make you a stronger and better person at the end of it.
Jamie Wood, it’s been a pleasure talking with you!
No, thank you for the questions.
You can watch the Jamie Wood story, ‘Impossible Is Nothing’ here at: http://www.ifilmlondon.com/our-videos/miscellaneous/the-jamie-wood-story-impossible-is-nothing-part-one
Part two: http://www.ifilmlondon.com/our-videos/sport/the-jamie-wood-story-impossible-is-nothing-part-two
{SQUARE} {SQUARE1} {SQUARE2}
{loadposition SQUARE3}
