Busy Logan’s career runs at a frantic pace

Logan Paling…still searching for win

THOSE whose experience of boxing is confined to armchair views of glitzy, televised shows should consider Logan Paling’s lot.

The 31-year-old represents boxing’s bread and butter. TV audiences see the glistening tip of the sport’s multi-million pound iceberg.

Paling, from Great Barr, is part of the vast expense that lurks below the waves. Unseen, but essential.

Trained by Shaun Cogan, he entered the pro game with no amateur experience, but with an extensive Thai boxing career behind him.

He is an away fighter and has already performed in London and Aberdeen.

He is tough as boot leather, always comes to win and has already featured in some great tear-ups.

Unlike champions who box twice or three times a year, Paling’s career is being played out at high speed.

Since turning pro last October, he has fought five times.

He will be out again on Saturday, with Jake Clarke facing him at Bournemouth’s O2 Academy. On March 4, it’s Sher Khan at York Hall, Bethnal Green.

Paling is set to fight in front of home fans at Edgbaston’s H Suite on March 25.

He has yet to taste victory, having lost all his initial contests on points over the apprentice four round distance.

Paling is getting closer to having his hand raised. He lost to Gregor McPherson, in Aberdeen, by a two point margin and it appeared close enough to be declared a draw.

At Birmingham’s Eastside Rooms, Shazad Amran prevailed by a solitary points. The battle with Tommy Murphy was a war. Make no mistake, Paling comes to win.

The losses have not dented likeable Paling’s enthusiasm.

“I love it, absolutely love it,” he told me. “Professional boxing is everything I expected it to be. The hardest part is the training.

“The win will come. Being an away fighter, it’s always going to be difficult, but we’ve looked at tapes of the fights and they’ve been close.

“I never just take part – I go there to give it my all.”

If there’s any justice – and boxing can sometimes be a cruel sport – Paling will get his win.

And when it comes, you can bet the light-welter will celebrate as if he’s captured a world title.