Soldier Cliff chases glory at age of 42
Cliff Henry looking to continue his unbeaten run on Sunday
CLIFF Henry will be looking to pick up where he left off after duty called and led to a prolonged time out of the ring.
He’s back in boxing at the Eastside Rooms, Birmingham, where BCB Promotions host a show on Sunday, July 30.
Even at the age of 42, there’s no sign of the Jamaican-born light heavyweight, who lives in Hereford, slowing down with his sporting aspirations.
He’s still serving as an infantry officer in the British Army. His last competitive action was 10 months ago, due to his obligations in the forces.
As a married father-of-four, there’s plenty going on in his home life, too, but the bug for boxing is something that still has a hold of him.
Henry didn’t lace on the gloves until 2018 and turned pro at 40, after a short amateur career of 11 bouts, seven of which he won, for South Wye Boxing Club.
He resumes his pro career with a 3-0 ledger, having completed a six-rounder in his previous action, overcoming a cut to outpoint Edgar Sneidze.
Four-round affairs have also seen him beat Ben Thomas and Lewis van Poetsch, putting Thomas on the floor in the first session of their clash.
Henry said: “My work has become very busy, the world is a crazy place and there’s a lot going on, but boxing is my passion and I’m itching to get back in there.
“It feels like a while ago, my last fight, and I felt that the six rounds suited me better. I was able to concentrate and have a game-plan in every round.
“Four rounds, to me, isn’t a long time and there’s so much that you want to show. It's important to do the basics well, even under pressure. There can be no excuses.
“I did get cut in the last round (of the six-rounder, from a clash of heads. I felt what had happened, but I wasn’t sure whether the blood was coming from me or him.
“It wasn’t significant enough to affect my performance and it wasn’t serious enough to warrant stitches. The doctor just glued up the wound, which soon healed.
“I was back in the gym a few days later and I was hoping to fight again, soon after, but it wasn’t to be. I’ve had to wait until now, but my job requires a certain level of fitness anyway.
“I’m 42 now, so I don’t have an awful lot of time to hang about but, at the same time, I’m far from finished. If I can stay injury-free and disciplined, I’ll be able to stay active.
“To go for a title would be a dream of mine but, if that happens, I want to make sure that I’m fully prepared. I’m pushing to see how far I can go.”
*Tickets for the Eastside Rooms bill are available, priced at £40 standard or £75 VIP ringside, directly from the boxers or by visiting myfighttickets.com.