60 Seconds: Akeem Ennis-Brown

When and why you started boxing:

When I first started I was about four, but I didn’t start like your average boxer. Me and my brother just used to put on the gloves and spar in the living room. We’d train and watch Rocky. That film was a big part of getting me into boxing. I just liked everything about it.

Favourite all-time fighter:

Jack Johnson. The first-ever black heavyweight champion in history.

Best fight you’ve seen:

Floyd Mayweather vs. Arturo Gatti. That was a whole new level of boxing genius from Mayweather. It was a masterclass.

Personal career highlight:

I think the one that stands out the most is my win against Chris Jenkins [td 5 – May 2018]. Headlining in my hometown of Gloucester, it was like a big announcement to my city.

Toughest opponent:

I make it look easy but they’re all tough in their own ways. Glenn Foot was a hard fight, but I made that look easy [w md 10 – July 2017]. Chris Jenkins was a hard fight, but I made that look easy.

Best and worst attributes as a boxer:

I can’t be hit. I think the best is that I’m just great all round. I don’t have weaknesses.

Training tip:

Always work hard. It’s a cliché but it’s true. Anything worth having takes hard work. If you hit a low, just ride it out. Good times will come.

Favourite meal/restaurant:

I like Caribbean fusion food.

Best friends in boxing:

Ohara Davies, Joe Cordina and Lee Selby. I speak to those guys regularly. They’ve helped me a lot.

Other sportsman you would like to be:

A long-distance runner, marathons, stuff like that.

Last film/TV show you saw:

[Anime TV series] Dragon Ball Z.

Who would play you in a film of your life:

They’d have to get me to do it. Only I could play that role.

Have you ever been starstruck:

No, never. I think that’s why the famous people I meet get along with me. I don’t look at people like they’re famous. I look at them like they’re human. I’m on my own mission.

Last time you cried:

A couple of years ago at my friend’s funeral.

Best advice received:

Never give up. As long as you keep working and going after what you want, you’ll get it.

Something not many people know about you:

I like EastEnders. It’s the only soap I’ll watch.

FAST FACTS

Age: 24 Twitter: @RiiddyRiival Nickname: ‘Riiddy’ Height: 5ft 11ins Nationality: English From: Gloucester Stance: Orthodox Record: 13-0 (1) Division: Super-lightweight Titles: English Next fight: Ennis-Brown aims to dethrone Commonwealth super-lightweight champion Philip Bowes in South Kirkby this coming Wednesday (September 2). The vacant British 140lb title is also up for grabs.

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