Latimer to make his pro debut in Dudley

Callum Latimer…latest pro to come out of Shoe-Box gym

A NEW pro makes his bow on BCB’s “Summer Showdown” bill at Dudley Town Hall on July 19, writes PAUL WEBB.

Light-welter Callum Latimer is the latest hope to come out of Leicestershire’s Shoe-Box gym.

The 20-year-old from Corby has been passionate about the sport since he was a small child. After a steady amateur background, he’ll be hoping to make a strong start to life in the paid ranks.

 “I’m buzzing to get in there,” he said. “It’s hard to explain how much I’m looking forward to it. There are a few nerves, of course, but I have been training hard for this, and it is all I have ever wanted to do.

“I told my mom I wanted to box when I was four-years-old, but she said I had to wait till I was seven before I could start.

“I remember counting the days down, knowing that on my birthday I would be able to box. I started out at Kettering and then moved on to Burton Park ABC, boxing as a teenager. My amateur career was good. I made it to a few semi-finals but couldn’t quite get over the line and make it to the finals of competitions. I think my style is far more suited to the pros than the amateurs.

Boxing in Northampton is in a very strong place, with the Shoe-Box gym leading the way. Last Saturday saw one of the gym’s best, Ben Vaughan, demolish Dom Hunt inside a round in their British title eliminator, and the feel-good factor has inspired Latimer.

 He said: “When I turned 16, I started to really take the sport seriously and moved to the Shoe-Box gym. I didn’t want to do the normal things people my age did - I wanted to be different from everyone else. My first proper training camp has been great and I feel, with all the experience in the gym around me, there is always something to learn.

 “Being from Corby, it’s a bit of a distance to Dudley for my supporters to come, but I don’t mind where it is as long as I get to make my debut. I know there will still be people making the journey up to see me, and I appreciate everyone that does.

The show, which is headlined by Ben Collins, is also set to feature an unbeaten trio of prospects: Conor Baker, Jasmin Harmitt, and Jamie Edwards.

 *Tickets are available now priced at £40 standard and £80 ringside VIP from the boxers directly or by emailing info@bcb-promotions.com.