CRAZY GUY
Belfast’s former world flyweight champ Rinty Monaghan used to entertain the masses after his fights with a rendition of ‘When Irish Eyes Are Smiling’. Although he may not be up there with Rinty just yet, professional fighter, and recording artist, James Davenport has promised he too will serenade the crowd if victorious in his comeback bout at Bolton’s Reebok Stadium on October 7.
Part of a quality undercard to a bill-topper that sees Colne’s Shayne Singleton fighting for the Masters light-welterweight belt, Davenport will be stepping back into the ring after six years out, and the Mancunian can’t wait to punch for pay again. In a stop-start career, James, 35, turned pro in 2001, had his last fight in 2006, and currently has a ledger of just one defeat in five fights.
“I’m really excited,” said James, who is trained by Bobby Rimmer and former European light-middleweight champion Jamie Moore. “I like the attention and I’m looking forward to showing all those people who think I’m too old. I’ll shock them all because what they saw in the past was me as a brawler but they’re going to see a totally different fighter. I’m out there to box, but if the knockout comes that’s unfortunate for my opponent!
“If I win, give me the mic and I’ll sing a song and get everyone at it – that’s a deal for you!”
In his heyday, the aforementioned Moore used to ringwalk to one of James’ songs – ‘Crazy Guy’ – and Davenport (Twitter @1SHINNy) will also enter the arena to one of his own compositions ‘Runaway’. Still heavily involved in the music business, and also working as a model, James has simply decided that now is the right time to give up the rock ‘n’ roll excesses and get back to fighting.
“I’m well managed now with my music career. When I was boxing I was trying to juggle both of them and basically I was burning the candle at both ends. What with rock ‘n’ roll and the lifestyle that comes with it, it didn’t really go with the boxing. When I should have been training, I was on the drink and partying! Now I’m being managed well and I feel like I’ve got time to do it [boxing].
“It’s going absolutely brilliant. After six years out but always training in different gyms, I’ve made a style of my own. I’ve still got the attack but I’m nice and relaxed and enjoy my boxing. I’m a very sharp and fast fighter. I’ve been sparring with my trainer Jamie [Moore] and have also been training with Brian Rose, and it’s just great to be in the boxing world again. Life’s going well. I’ve turned a corner in my life and I believe good things come when you become a better person within yourself.”
James will appear at the Reebok Stadium in Bolton on October 7 on a show headlined by both Shayne Singleton and Lancashire’s Luke Blackledge fighting for Masters titles. Also appearing will be Bolton’s unbeaten Rick Goddins taking on former British lightweight champion Graham Earl; Preston’s Dean Halsall; Cumbria’s Rick Skelton; Atherton’s Craig Boardman; and debutants Tommy Taitham and Danny Watson.
Tickets, priced at £30 (General) and £50 (Ringside), are available from all boxers or at www.vipbe.co.uk
Keep updated on VIP Promotions’ news by visiting www.vipboxing.com or follow on Twitter @vipboxing. Currently, you can also watch free fights at www.vipboxing.tv
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