Norman: setbacks have made me a formidable fighter

Norman outpoints Simas Volosinas. Pic: GBM Sports/Leigh Dawney

THE heartache and pain endured by Dylan Norman has forged a formidable fighter.

The 24-year-old is reticent to talk about his childhood, but it was beyond tough.

And one of the biggest nights of Dylan’s professional career was immediately followed by terrible grief.

His grandmother collapsed and died only an hour after watching the Knowle boxer halt experienced Louis Fielding in one round at Planet Ice, Solihull.

Dylan took that September, 2023, tragedy very hard. Della was a mother-figure who helped finance his professional journey.  Her death at the age of 62 was a sickening bolt from the blue.

“A lot of people say I’m a bit like the old school,” said Dylan, who has a sizeable fan base. “I had a very difficult childhood that moulded me as a fighter. I would not wish a difficult childhood on anyone, but it has made me a difficult fighter to break down.”

Dylan, one of the region’s brightest prospects, is unbeaten in nine and nudging closer to a title fight with each victory.

That quest for belts will now be in the super-lightweight division. His days of making lightweight are over.

He is also no longer guided by former middleweight champ Wayne Elcock. The pair amicably parted company earlier this year and Dylan is now under the wing of Jon Pegg at Eastside gym, Birmingham.

He said: “The time after losing nan was extremely difficult and I have to give thanks to Jon and Wayne for helping me get through it. Something like that makes you re-think life. If it wasn’t for her, I wouldn’t be where I am today.”

Dylan boxes again at Sports Connexion, Coventry, on September 28 and may feature in his first eight rounder. After that, the hunt for a championship contest begins.

“It can’t be far away,” he added. “I’m getting closer and closer, it’s almost my time.”

He praised Elcock for his role, but feels the big names at Eastside – Sam Eggington, Kaisee Benjamin, Scott Melvin, Shakan Pitters… - are helping his career to really flourish.

“I’m a more complete fighter by being around top stablemates,” Dylan explained. “To win titles you have to be around people who have competed for them.

“I have that constructive power, I know how to build the openings for those big shots. Being on Eastside’s wall of fame (a gallery of gym champs), that motivates me.”

Dylan added: “I want to pay tribute to my team and fans because we are growing together.”