Council worker Nico makes his pro debut

Nico Ogbeide…from the unlicenced circuit to the paid ranks

NICO Ogbeide  - a man once barred from boxing by his mum - has turned pro.

His day of reckoning comes at the Hangar Events Venue, Wolverhampton, on Friday, July 14. The bill is promoted by BCB.

Ogbeide, from Bordesley Green Birmingham, has wanted to box at a high level since he was a child -  but he wasn’t allowed!

The 29-year-old, who is turning over at junior-lightweight, took up kick-boxing instead, but always knew it wasn’t his favourite pastime.

In adulthood, Ogbeide did begin boxing, but on the unlicensed circuit. He took part in 20 bouts, winning 15.

The Brummie also teaches basics of the sweet science, at the Champs Camp Boxing Camp in Seldon, alongside his own training at Saxons and Emporium, both in Erdington.

He said: “I’ve been coming along nicely and I’m enjoying the process. I’ve taken to the change quite well, but I always thought that I had more of a pro style anyway.

“I’m a counter puncher who is technical and slick, but it’s not really in my nature to come forward. I’ve been working on that, so there will be a different side to me.

“I’m still learning and trying to get all of the experience that I can. I’ve never felt like this before, I’ve got so much motivation.

“I always wanted to box but, when I was a kid, my mum wouldn’t let me! She would let me do kickboxing, though, because she thought that was more about self-defence.

“I never took it seriously, though, but I did have about 40 bouts, between light contact and full contact. My heart wasn’t in kick-boxing, I have to admit.

“I’ve been dying to give pro boxing a bash. I should have done it years ago, but it didn’t happen. I was going to, at the age of 24, but then I stopped altogether.

“I was still coaching (as a personal trainer), but I wasn’t fighting. I went up to close to 13st and, bear in mind, I was fighting at under 10sr. I just thought that I needed to go back to the gym.

“I work in ground maintenance for the Birmingham City Council (Birmingham city) and the depot is in Kingstanding. I go straight to training from there.

“I had my first unlicensed boxing fight eight years ago, just before I was 21, so I know what being in the ring is like. I think that I’m good enough for the pros.

“I didn’t want to be in the pub, in my 40s, wishing  I has turned pro. Being there is one thing, but I definitely want, at least, a Midlands title.”

*Tickets for the Hangar bill are available, priced at £40 standard or £75 VIP ringside, directly from the boxers or by visiting myfighttickets.com.