Big Joe sidelined by serious hand injury

Joe Bourne with Clearys newcomer Eben Harundu, aged 12

BIG Joe Bourne has shown he has the toughness for the pro game, says trainer Edwin Cleary, after the boxer battled on despite a serious hand injury.

On Clearys Gym’s own show last Saturday at Trident College, the Leamington super-heavy suffered two breaks and three fractures to his right hand.

Yet despite the injury, 26-year-old Bourne continued fighting to the final bell, dropping a points decision to NABC champ Matthew Williams.

Our x-ray shot shows the extent of the injury, with the index finger metacarpal completely snapped.

Big Joe, a former rugby player who has lost only three of 15, will be out for around seven weeks. Hopefully, he’ll be ready for the ABA championships in March.

Edwin said: “The hand probably went in the first, but he said he felt it in the second, but he kept going.

X-ray clearly shows damage to the right hand

“For a fighter, the most important ingredients are fitness and toughness – the skill-set comes after that. If you haven’t got the bottle, I don’t think you can walk into a pro gym.

“They put a plate in the hand last week and think it will be back stronger. He’s back in the gym.

“He wants to go pro, but we’ll take a look after the ABAs. He’s a TV dream because he’s a big cuddly guy, but he can fight and he’s a tough lad.”

Big Joe, whose father Trevor fought for Coventry’s famed Triumph Club, enjoys a big following in the Warwickshire spa town.

“He’s very loveable, people like him,” Edwin said. “He’s the kind of lad you wouldn’t mind your daughter bringing home.

“He’s easy to coach because he’s got that rugby background.”