Exclusive Interview: Anthony “The Warrior” Farnell.

Farnell just after he became the WBU champ click for larger image © Paul Speak

The last time I spoke with Anthony Farnell, the man affectionately known as The Warrior, he had recently recovered from one of the worst years of his life. Having battled back against an ostensibly career-killing bout of viral meningitis, Anthony was in the midst of masterminding his comeback. A veritable slobber knocker against the hard-hitting Gary Lockett was all but signed

and sealed. That particular conversation left me with a feeling of optimism. After all, it’s always nice to hear of someone battling back against the odds, especially someone as passionate and deserving as Arnie. What went wrong, though, I wondered? “Just before I fought Lawrence Murphy, I had my MRI scan. Something had changed in it. We didn’t know what, we didn’t know nothing. This went on for about six weeks,“ recalls Arnie. “We went to Professor Lee, in London, and he said, “it’s fine, it’s ok. It’s just a foreign agent.’ And that’s why the scan changed…I thought everything was ok, but a few people apparently weren’t happy at the imaging centre. So we went back to Professor Lee, the main man, again and he said, “He’s perfectly ok to box,’ Arnie reiterates. “But a few people weren’t happy.”

Arnie has since maintained that the decision to retire was his and his alone, despite rumors to the contrary. “I would have got my license. That wouldn’t have been a problem. If I didn’t have a family—I have a very close family. I have a son now as well. If I didn’t have all that, I would have gone back in the ring. I love boxing, I love the boxing, but I wouldn’t put them through the heartache of seeing me in the ring again.”

What has never been in question is Arnie’s desire to stay involved in boxing. It’s clear from talking to him that he loves the sport with a passion few could match. Some may love it for the money and/or the fame. Arnie just loves it, simply. “I’m going to be in the ring again, but as a trainer. I’m going to start training again. I’ll get my own gym up and stuff,” he says, reaffirming his desire to continue his love affair with the sport. “I would have been more devastated if I was out of boxing altogether, but I’m gonna stay in boxing. I’ll be involved in boxing every day, you know what I mean? I know I’m gonna be a great trainer, because I’ve fought all different styles, fought all around the world. So I’ve been there and done that and I can pass that on.”

Many fighters fall into the trap of returning to the ring after premature retirement. Given Arnie’s love for boxing, it’s hardly infeasible that he could make that same error in judgement. However, he is quick to dispel this notion. “That’s one thing I’ve always said: Once you’ve made your mind up to retire, that’s what you should do. It would have been harder, if I was doing other things, if I’d got a normal job and stuff. If I was just sat on my arse all the time (laughing) and just thinking about boxing, I probably would be tempted. I won’t be going back into it, though. “

Arnie has had a successful career and has built up a loyal following. This, in itself, keeps him satisfied that he has done enough to sit back and be proud of his exploits in the ring. “I’ve had a great career. I’ve won two world titles, I’ve won two Intercontinental titles, two British titles as an amateur, so I think I’ve done well, ” he recalls fondly.

Done with the past, Arnie is looking to the future, having already laid the ground work for his new career asa trainer. “My manager, Tom Jones, has been with me since my amateur days. The man’s a class act. We’re going into partnership. He’s going to manage the boxers and I’m going to train them. It can’t fail really. He’s a brilliant manager and I know I’m gonna be a great trainer, so I know I’m going to take kids to be world champions. No matter if they are a four fight novice or a world champion, they’ll get the same attention. I’ll give everyone my undivided attention. “

So rather than the end, it is a new beginning for Arnie. Normally an article on a fighter’s retirement would call for an epic concluding paragraph. That would be missing the whole point of the above interview, though. Everyone at Saddo Boxing eagerly awaits the next chapter of our favourite Warrior’s career. Not “The End,” but rather “To be continued…”

James MacDonald can be reached at ac009b5460@blueyonder.co.uk