Roofer Harty on first rung of fight ladder
Jimmy Harty in his amateur days. Picture: Michael Ault
A ROOFER by day, Jimmy Harty refuses to make brash predictions about the heights he can scale.
The new pro on the block has both feet firmly on the ground.
Harty, from Wolverhampton, was officially unveiled as a BCB Promotions boxer last week and will make his debut – along with a raft of fellow BCB newcomers – at The Hangar, in his home city, on May 23.
“I’m excited, really looking forward to it,” said the 24-year-old super-bantam. “It’s time to show what I’m about – fans can expect a good performance. My family are all behind me – they’re my biggest supporters – and I think I’ll sell a few tickets.”
Harty flitted around amateur clubs before making the BCB Academy gym his home three years ago. In a 16 bout unpaid career, he didn’t rip up trees, but captured a Midlands title.
He’s now juggling early starts and tough days on the building sites with the rigorous preparation required by professional boxers. That means rising at 5am for roadwork.
“I enjoy it,” Harty insisted. “I love the sport, I enjoy going to the gym after work. Boxing is my hobby.
“It made sense to go pro. For three years, I’ve been in a professional gym, trained with the professional guys, sparred the pros. I thought I performed better with the pros, I think my style is more suited to the pros.
“I think my biggest assets will be workrate and dedication – I put in the hours in the gym and on the road. I’ve been told the power is there.”
Harty added: “We’ll get a couple of fights in first, then consider how far we can go.”
A BCB spokesman said: “The latest graduate from the BCB academy and an excellent amateur, Harty is looking to make a big statement at the Hangar Venue.”
It’s getting hard to keep up with BCB’s signing spree. This week came news Streetly light-middle Josh Ralph has joined the outfit, with the 28-year-old making his debut in June.
Birmingham feather Adam Mohammed, 27, has also become a BCB boxer and will appear on the May 23 Hangar show. Adam has one bout under his belt – a points win last September.