Lightweight Leahy joins the pro ranks

Nick Leahy and Jon Pegg seal their professional partnership

THERE’S a new pro addition to Fitzpatricks Gym, Leamington.

Lightweight Nick Leahy hopes to make his debut in March under the guidance of trainer Derek Fitzpatrick and manager Jon Pegg.

The 26-year-old, whose family are based in Evesham, comes to the paid game with a solid amateur pedigree. Bar a brief stint with Hall Green ABC, he’s been with Derek since the age of 18, has won 17 of 20 bouts, gained gold at the Haringey Cup and collected a national development title.

Much of this year has been spent recovering from a serious knee injury: Nick, who works for the family car breaker business, suffered a ruptured ACL ligament. He’s now back firing on all cylinders.

Derek, who also trains Coventry hope Jess Barry, said: “As an amateur, Nick’s strength was he did the basics very well, very, very well. He’s crisp, fast paced and dynamic. Really good handspeed.

“What can he achieve? At the moment all I want him to achieve is to win his first fight. It’s a change of game. He was 15-0 as an amateur, but 10 of those wins came in a seven week period, so you could say his record bellies his experience.

“Am I the best coach in the world? Absolutely not. Am I the best coach for Nick Leahy? Most probably.

“During the championships, Nick and his brother Sean (a fine amateur) made a 50 mile round trip to the gym to train. That’s 1,000 miles a month. That shows me the dedication Nick has.”

Leahy, from a fighting family, told me: “I just felt the time was right to turn pro. I think it will suit me more – the amateurs are all 100 miles per hour, the pros more about placing shots.

“I think I’ll have a good following – a lot of people are already asking about my first fight. I think I can do something. I know what I can do and what skills I’ve got, I don’t doubt myself.

“Get the first three fights out of the way and go from there. I’m doing this to win titles.”