Jag having last laugh on the school bullies

Jag Purewal…aims to show fans his true potential in Top Boxer

JAG Purewal, the Selly Oak welter with a slippery, unorthodox style, still believes he’ll wake-up and discover the against-all-odds boxing journey has been a dream.

He has, since turning pro in February last year, peeled-off four straight victories, all on points over four rounds, all against fighters with more losses than wins.

On February 18 at Solihull’s Planet Ice, the risks are considerably cranked-up. Jag will be one of eight unbeaten, fledgling pros taking part in promoter Tommy Owens’ £20,000, last-man-standing Top Boxer tournament.

The winner will have fought three times on the night and truly earned the £8,000 main prize.

If self-belief and confidence are a barometer to ring success, Purewal – who entered the pro ranks after a limited white collar career - will be the last man standing.

“How far can I go?” he said. “British (title) level, I’ve got my mind set on British level. I’m comfortable at welter, but could make light-welter, even lightweight, if the opportunity came.”

He can certainly talk the talk. On February 18 we’ll find out if he can walk the walk.

And merely being part of the competition represents another significant chapter in Jag’s against-all-odds journey.

“I was a chubby kid who got absolutely bullied because of my size,” he admitted. “Back then, I never thought I’d be a professional boxer, I thought I’d end up working in an office.

“From where I was to where I am now is unbelievable, really.”

The fledgling fighter, who can best be described as unorthodox in the ring, should be praised for attempting a fast track to glory through high-risk Top Boxer. He is considered an outsider – and near craves the underdog tag.

“My style is very elusive, very evasive,” said the young gun trained by Anthony Hull, managed by Jon Pegg. “The power is there, 100 per cent it’s there. If I’m picking someone off and the opening for the right shot does come, I’ll throw it.

“This tournament is going to show different elements of my game. It’s going to come down to showing the grit I’ve got and the desire I have for the sport. Everyone in it is risking their ‘0’, everyone is dangerous in this tournament.

“I’ll be there, picking and moving. Taking it (the tournament) was not a difficult decision – I want to be known for taking risks. I’m not worried about my own ‘0’, the ‘0’ does not define me as a boxer. And whatever happens, I’ll be fighting again on March 26. I have a great team around me.

“People are saying I’m the underdog and I want to be the underdog. It drives and inspires me, it gives me the desire to win. I want to be able to laugh at those who decided I was the underdog.

“I’m doing this for my family, the people behind me. I want the Purewal name on the map, I want my grandparents to say I’ve done something big for them.”

It’s much too early to predict what Jag can achieve in his career, but the Birmingham game has certainly gained a larger-than-life character.

And with each passing day, Top Boxer looks more and more like a sure-fire winner.