Tom Aitchison: ‘Some of the punishment journeymen take and act like it’s nothing, it’s amazing’ – Boxing News

When and why you started boxing:
I first went to the boxing gym when I was 10. My dad has his own gym, Skelmersdale ABC, took me down to the gym and coached me.

Favourite all-time fighter:
Growing up I used to love watching Ricky Hatton, I’ve been to loads of his fights, went to his gym and watched him train, went to his weigh ins.

Best fight you’ve seen:
I’d day Morales-Barrera, any of their fights. I love watching them in fight week, it gets me in the mood in case I get into a tear up.

Personal career highlight:
Definitely representing England in the seniors, at senior level. That was an achievement I always wanted. That was my proudest so far. The vest is hung up in the amateur gym and I’m on that wall forever now.

Toughest opponent:
The last guy I boxed, Vitalii Maksymiv, he was from Ukraine, he was tough. He came to win, he came to take my head off. Them journeymen, they’re some of the toughest people about. Some of the punishment they take and they act like it’s nothing, it’s amazing.

Best and worst attributes as a boxer:
My best is probably my technical ability, I spend hours and hours doing drills in the gym. As for my worst one, I’ve got a few things I need to improve on.

Training tip:
The stuff you do outside the gym is just as important; sleep, your rest, your recovery, the food you eat. It all ties in together and that has a massive impact as well.

Favourite meal/restaurant:
Miller & Carter, a steak restaurant.

Best friends in boxing:
I’ve met a lot of good people in boxing. Especially in the amateurs, a lot of people I speak to now I fought when I was 12 or 13 and we still keep in touch now.

Other sportsperson you would like to be:
It would have to be a footie player because of the money. But darts players, they look like they have a good laugh don’t they?

Last film/TV show you saw:
I started watching The Sopranos recently, that’s good.

Who would play you in a film of your life:
Danny Dyer.

Have you ever been starstruck:
When I was 10 years I went to watch Hatton-Mayweather in Las Vegas. I ended up meeting loads of stars like De La Hoya and Marquez, Angelo Dundee.

Last time you cried:
Probably when my son was born a couple of months ago.

Best advice received:
One from my dad, he said just because you can’t see the sun behind the clouds doesn’t mean it isn’t still shining.

Worst rumour about yourself:
I don’t pay attention to gossip!

Something not many people know about you:
I’ve got a master’s degree in pharmacy.