Ringnews24: Firstly, how old are you Jamie?
21
Ringnews24: You currently live in France but are originally from Chatham, Kent. Can you tell us why you moved abroad?
I was born in Chatham but my parents moved us to France to change our lives. It’s actually quite a nice calm life and I feel settled.
Ringnews24: Did it take long for you to learn French and are you fluent now?
Well, you learn something new every day. I’d say it took me three to four years to be fluent.
Ringnews24: Do you have any plans to move back to the UK one day?
I come back from time to time to see the family and train at the Horton Kirby boxing gym. I wouldn’t mind coming back to fight as a pro because in France it is very hard for the French boxers to make it at pro level. I have a few mates who are pro and they’re trying to push themselves to European level.
Ringnews24: How old were you when you started boxing and why did you get into it?
I Started boxing at 18. I was playing football at that time too. The thing with football is that if you make a mistake everyone is on your back, but with boxing if you make a mistake you only have yourself to blame. I also used to be quite arrogant, but boxing taught me self respect and respect for others.
Ringnews24: What weight do you fight at?
I box at lightweight. I have gone up to light welterweight a couple of times and welterweight once too.
Ringnews24: Can you tell us about your amateur career to date?
I started at my first club ‘Boxing Club Coutances’. The first two seasons were a nightmare for me. My first amateur fight was against a very experienced boxer who had fought eleven bouts to my zero. Sadly, my trainer stopped the fight early. I was gutted but at the end of the day, my trainer knew best. My second fight was a farce. I was given the decision against another experienced fighter who had fought ten bouts to my one fight. Afterwards, I was in the changing rooms when the other trainer burst in ten minutes later saying the decision had been changed; I got my revenge this season though. I then lost my third fight and got robbed in my fourth fight. In my second season, I had two fights. I got a rematch against the opponent of my fourth fight [Anthony Larquemin] and got robbed once again. I then changed clubs and went to ‘Boxing Club Granville’ and went on to box in the regional cup final. I fractured my hand in the first round though and went on to lose the fight by one point. During my third season, I got employed at EDF [Électricité de France] in Rouen, so for the third time I changed club; I went to ‘Noble Art Rouen’ where I have Salem Hamraoui as my new trainer. My first fight was a quarter-final for the Normandy Championships. I wasn’t ready for the fight at all and after being schooled for three rounds I lost on points. I then took on Anthony Larquemin for the third time – this time in his hometown. I refused to lose this fight and I went at it for all three rounds and won comfortably. I then moved up to light welterweight and beat Kalaidine Boina who was 5 kilos [11 lbs] heavier than me. I then boxed in the semi-finals of the Normandy Cup against a Russian called Rubik Gryvorgian; I lost to him the year before in the final when I fractured my hand. For the third fight in a row I won another comfortable decision (21-10). I then lost a fight due to my own fault and misjudgement. I then moved up to welterweight and boxed for Team Normandy and took on the champion of Belgium Sergio Mirmina and won a very close points decision.
Ringnews24: You recently finished in the semi-finals of a regional tournament. How do you think you did?
I won the quarter finals against a guy called Guillaume Mahaut. He was the guy I boxed three seasons ago and was given the decision against, until it got reversed ten minutes later, so revenge was pretty sweet. I then got eliminated in the semi-finals due to very poor judging. My trainer Salem was disgusted with the decision. I was doing brilliantly in the Championships and I know I could have won it this season. I have now had 14 fights in total with five wins. I’m determined to get my win ratio up.
Ringnews24: Can you tell us about your coach Salem Hamraoui and what he thinks of your boxing ability?
He trains fighters at my gym in Normandy and also trains the Algerian Desert hawks WSB team. For the moment he has got me working on my counter-punching. He is a brilliant trainer and he adapts himself to the boxer’s needs. I have an excellent relationship with my trainer and I feel he’s the only one who can get through to me when in the corner.
Ringnews24: What is the competition like at amateur level in France in your opinion?
The boxing level in France is okay. It’s just a shame that there is not that much investment and support unlike in the UK. For example, I boxed against the champion of Belgium in France so I was fighting on home turf. You’d expect to hear the home fans more but there wasn’t one cheer from the French; all you could hear were the Belgian fans. My toughest fight to date was that one against Sergio [Mirmina].
Ringnews24: How have you been received by French fighters and fans? Are you one of the boys or a “Rosbif” still [Laughs]?
Well, at the beginning of my amateur career I got racially abused by fans and fighters who had no respect for me. But I love it when the crowd is against me; It gives me that extra boost to win.
Ringnews24: How would you describe your style?
At the start I’d say my style was hit and hope [laughs]. Since I have been with Salem I have now become so much better technically. I now box the way my coach tells me to and I’m more comfortable doing so.
Ringnews24: What are your plans for 2014?
My plans for 2014 are to win as many fights as possible. We are waiting for a decision from the Federation to see if I can box in the French National championships, so fingers crossed. That would be great.
Ringnews24: Do you plan to go professional one day?
Yeah, I would love to go pro. Only time will tell though. My trainer will be the man who decides when the time is right.
Ringnews24: What is the best and worst part of being a boxer?
The worst part of boxing is the dodgy decisions and a corrupt Federation. The best part is fight night; Coming out to the music and the fans, having the fight and most importantly having your hand held up high at the end.
Ringnews24: What is your proudest moment so far as a boxer?
My proudest moments in boxing so far are being the only winner of the Normandy team on the Normandy vs Belgium showdown. I was absolutely scared stiff as I watched the whole Normandy team get destroyed one-by-one. My other proudest moment was finally winning a fight in front of my parents. They had only ever seen me lose or get robbed up until then. I had never seen them look so happy after a fight.
Ringnews24: Do you have a boxing nickname?
[Laughs]. Yeah, my trainer gave me a nickname; He calls me the ‘British Dynamite’ because I’m an explosive fighter.
Ringnews24: Who is your all-time favourite fighter and what is your favourite fight?
My all-time favourite fighter is Ricky Hatton. I idolise the guy. He was a pure warrior; I would love to meet him. I’d say he’s followed by Floyd Mayweather. My all-time favourite fight is Arturo Gatti vs Micky Ward. That was just a full-scale war.
Ringnews24: Where can fans find you online?
I’m only an amateur so don’t really expect to have fans [Laughs]. They can find me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jamie.bidwell.7, Twitter: @BidwellJamie; Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/user/Jamiebidwell01
My two biggest fans are my parents; especially my Dad who tries to be at every fight.
Ringnews24: Do you have a message for boxing fans?
If any boxing fans out there want to try boxing or get fit I encourage you to go to your local boxing gym. It is definitely the best sport out there; especially for kids. The sport teaches them self-respect and respect for others. If anyone lives near Dartford or in the Kent area, there is a good gym, with a friendly environment, called the ‘Horton Kirby Boxing Club’.
Ringnews24: Thanks for talking to us today and best of luck with your career.
