Stevens: Rocky of the Wrekin district
Kirk Stevens lifts the Top Boxer trophy aloft. Bigger things await
TO Kirk Stevens, a real life Rocky of the Wrekin district, next month’s bid to claim a Midlands belt has taken world title significance.
And the likeable father-of-two has vowed to use every last drop of his strength, stamina and courage to become an unlikely champion.
“I’m prepared to put my life on the line for this,” Kirk told me. “I have the opportunity, I’m going to grab it with both hands.”
On September 23 at Fenton Manor Sports Complex, Stoke, the 33-year-old faces Potteries favourite Jamie Stewart for the vacant light-welter title.
It’s a mouth-watering collision between two very tough pros and seems destined to produce fireworks. It could well be a small hall classic.
Stewart, a former Midlands champ at welter, will be favoured: he showed his worth last time out by coming within a whisker of halting Ireland’s former world youth champ Ray Moylette.
Kirk, a welder and fabricator by day, frankly doesn’t give a fig for bookies odds.
We’ve written him off before and ended-up with egg on our faces. No one gave Stevens a chance of winning Tommy Owens’ welter Top Boxer tournament in February after he entered as a late sub. Yet he bit on his gumshield, took his lumps and won the event.
He hasn’t fought since that near unbelievable night.
You may be able to pick holes in the Telford fighter’s technique, no one can question his old-fashioned bottle. Kirk, managed by Jon Pegg, trained by Mo Fiaz, is one hard so-and-so.
“I don’t know much about Stewart,” Kirk, who was raised in Donnington – the same Telford suburb that produced Liam Davies - admitted.
“I believe he likes a good tear-up. It’s my first 10 rounder, so I’m not planning to go full blast from the get-go. It’s the chance to showcase what I’ve learned. The crowd won’t bother me. I turned pro as a road warrior, in my mind that’s how I see it.”
Stevens turned over after a brief, nine fight amateur career (one loss) and a fistful of bouts on the amateur circuit.
Until Top Boxer glory, he’d hardly set the world on fire. Kirk was knocked out in his debut and had lost three of four when chancing his arm in the tournament.
We now know what he’s capable of – and Kirk insists he’s improving all the time.
“I didn’t put a pair of gloves on until I was 25,” he said, “then I trained for a year. I’m still learning on the job, I feel like an 18-year-old in the sport. I’m a work in progress.
“I prefer the pros much more than the amateurs, it’s more my style. It’s more about timing than setting a fast pace, it’s more about placing your shots. It’s about making your punches count.
“Since turning pro, I’ve taken boxing more seriously and I’m more dedicated. People are surprised how much I’ve progressed and I’m improving all the time. I’m always sparring, always training.”
Stevens harbours lofty ambitions. He wants to chase major titles.
“I want to get to British level,” he added. “Getting and English or British shot would mean the world to me.”
The Cinderella Man of West Midlands boxing is prepared to give everything to get there.