Debut Corner with Maredudd Thomas
BBN Caught up with Welsh hopeful Maredudd Thomas before making his first appearance as a professional, we had the chance to talk about his team around him, and his ambitions for the future!
What made you want to start boxing?
“To be honest, all my brothers were into football, and I wasn’t really that good at it and my Dads friend made me a punch bag, and I used to use it when I was eight or nine and following that my dad took me to the boxing gym.”
Who was your boxing hero growing up and why?
“From what I can remember watching, it would be Joe Calzaghe! I was around and able to see his fights, and he’s also welsh!”
How old were you when you had your first fight and how did you do?
“I think I was about twelve, I won my first fight and won my first couple of fights after that.”
How well did you do in the amateurs?
“I had about sixty amateur fights, I lost ten I think. I boxed for wales, I boxed in Bulgaria and Serbia where I won a bronze medal, I had a few internationals, I beat the Dutch champion twice, so I didn’t have too much of a bad amateur career.
I won the Welsh championships, and boxing on the internationals was a highlight!”
What made you decide to turn pro?
“I feel like I’m ready for it now, I think my style suits the professionals a bit better and its something I’ve always wanted to do and now I feel I am ready for it!”
What team do you have around you?
“I’m trained and managed by Gary Lockett, I have a really good team around me everyday in the gym, Liam Williams, Chris Jenkins, Craig Kennedy and Alex Hughes, so I have got really good boxers around me at the moment.”
Are you full-time as a pro?
“I work full time, and train twice a day, I don’t really get much time at home!”
What sort of fighting style do you have?
“I feel like I’m a decent boxer, I have been told I carry a lot of power in my punches, so I have always got that to back me up if I’m down on points.”
What ambitions do you have for your pro career?
“The dream would be to win a world title, but I would love to win a British title that would be amazing, but I just want to win each title really, the Welsh title and British title!
Maybe towards the end of 2018 I would be looking towards to getting a Welsh title.”
When is your first fight and who will be there in support?
“My first fight is on Friday the 22nd of December, it is at the Active living centre in Pontypool.
I have teammates, friends and family there to support me.
Thank you to my Sponsor LEEK and PRICE CARPENTRY, and DEMON SHIELD for helping out with a lot of kit.
And a big thanks to everyone who has supported me!”