My granddad was into his boxing and used to look after me and my sisters pretty much every weekend. He always had the fights on and let me stay up to watch them with him. We always had a little playful spar with him on his knees holding a pillow for me to whack. i was a wee nipper and honestly cant remember what fights we watched but this was during early eighty's. A bit before Tyson, Eubank and Ben days.

That was when i knew what boxing was. Fast forward a few years a mate at my local pub got a load of us to buy tickets to see his work mate fight on the under card of Michael Brodie vs Fredric Bonifia at the Wythenshaw forum in Manchester Before his couple of fights with Injin Che. Ady Lewis was also on the card that night. I remember stood around with my watery pint in a plastic pint pot in the foyer chatting to random people and them mentioning Ricky hatton and how hes KOing guys left right and center and the one to watch. I really enjoyed the buzz that night and i think that's what got me really interested.

I Know Anthony Farnell and used to knock around with him on the park when we were younger. Not spoke to him for years though. I know Craig Watson and went to a couple of his amateur fights but again ive not seen him in a few years. I see Anthony Crolla from time to time and always say hello and sometimes ask his opinion on the next up and coming fight. There are many people i speak to who knows someone thats fighting. Been to plenty of white collar nights and charity doos but nowadays i prefer to watch the big fights on the box in the comfort of my own home with a beer.

Boxing has always been around in my social circle. Something to look forward to at the end of the week.