BOXING: LEAMINGTON’S Navi Mankoo can’t wait to make his professional boxing debut next month at BCB Promotions’ Chesford Grange Hotel fight night.
Mankoo, who has won the Midlands title on two occasions in the Novice ABA’s and reached the national semi-final, will now be competing for cash after taking part in the Elite ABA’s and Haringey Cup.
Training with Leamington Spa based coach Edwin Cleary and Clearys Gym, Mankoo hopes to cut out hydrating errors when lining up in his first professional fight.
He said: “I made a few errors in the amateurs after losing too much weight through water loss and not dieting right.
“This time I want to put things right.
“Becoming a professional athlete is something I have always wanted to do as I train each day whether it is doing weights or running.
“I have been this way since I started boxing at 11.”
Mankoo will be emulating the world famous Ingle Gym in Sheffield after Cleary boxed professionally alongside the likes of Naseem Hamed, Johnny Nelson and Ryan Rhodes.
The Leamington-based fighter believes that will stand him in good stead as he begins on his professional path.
“I like to train most days and feel I am always more or less at a good fitness level,” he said.
“Work within the boxing gym has picked up now and is going great, the lads work well together and I am looking forward to starting a new diet and hydration plan.
“I strongly believe my switch hitting style and power will cause my opponent big difficulties as I box southpaw and orthodox and throw punches from different angles.
“I’m feeling really good and excited to begin my journey.”
