โWINNING the British title means everything to me. Since I was eight years old this is all Iโve ever wanted. I didnโt come in the gym like all the other kids, dreaming of a winning a world title. Itโs always been about the Lonsdale belt.โ
Josh Wale acknowledges that this is his last chance. Heโs been in these fights before, but always on the other side, the opponent in the hometown favouriteโs backyard and no one willing to do him a favour. But this time around, things are different. โThe Outlawโ can finally fulfil his personal ambition on July 1, when the Barnsley man will meet Jamie Wilson for the now vacant British bantamweight strap at the Doncaster Dome, less than 20 miles from his Barnsley home.
The 29-year-old has compiled a record of 23-9-2, 11KOโs, since his debut back in 2006 at just 18, but has always fallen short in his previous attempts at the Lonsdale belt. This time though, he believes that it has all come together at the right time for him.
Wale told Boxing News: โIโve done it the hard way my whole career. Iโve been close to packing it in at times. But, I love this sport so much, that I could never really walk away. Sometimes you donโt always get what you deserve in life, but this time Iโm confident it will all come together for me.
โIโve always taken fights, whoever and wherever, as nothing fazes me. I turned over young because I was desperate to achieve and Iโm within touching distance of that belt. Iโve earned the respect of people within the sport and itโs humbling that these people give up just five minutes of their time when they see me at fights.
โIโve never had home advantage for one of these fights. Even when itโs been local for me, the guy in the other corner is also from the same area. Itโs been a long road, sometimes a very hard road, but Iโve not been deterred and the dream has drove me on when it got hard. Now is my time to win the British title.โ
The Wale family are built on boxing and supporting Josh every step of the way has been his father, Mick. Despite been diagnosed with crippling spinal tumours, Mick has been the constant for Josh, who has kept him focused and picked him up when times were hard.
Boxing is their life and Josh has been running his own gym for the past five years, a phoenix club of his fatherโs old club that had to be shut down when he first got ill. Josh is now also registered with the board as a professional trainer, as he looks to the future in boxing.
Mick still plays a huge part in Joshโs camps, helping with his preparations and also playing a big part in his corner on fight night, where the carefully constructed game plan theyโll concoct they hope will come to fruition on July 1.
Josh added: โI come from a boxing family, led by my dad, but also my brothers, Gwyn, who is a former pro himself and Dempsey, who is at university in Leeds, but had a couple of amateur fights and when heโs back, heโll focus on that. My son is called Jack Dempsey as well, so no pressure!
โI also run the gym, which I always promised I would re-open once I got some money behind me, which is now the case. I even live above it! Itโs been open five years and itโs flying and Iโve named it after my dad as Mickyโs Athletic Boxing Club. Iโve passed my course with the board and Iโm now a registered trainer, so Iโm sure thatโs the way Iโll be going once I finish up as I love it.
โMy dad has been my trainer since I was eight. But when he got diagnosed with spinal tumours, it was very hard. I didnโt know whether to carry on because if my dad wasnโt there and we didnโt do it together, it would be worthless and not mean the same to me.
โBut he talked me round and Iโve kept going, even when heโs been receiving treatment in hospital or recovering from operations, Iโve taken fights. But we got to the stage where I needed someone else to lead my training as it wasnโt easy with my dad.โ
The man who Mick Wale put his faith and his sonโs career in the hands of was Stefy Bull, a former Area champion as a pro, and a trainer and manager who is building a quality reputation amongst UK fight fans. Bull even tangled with Joshโs brother Gwyn, edging a points decision back in 2005.
Wale believes Bull has helped him find that extra gear and most importantly has tapped into his popularity, putting him as the headline fight on his bills and motivating him to find that extra 10% in the gym and securing Wale that rare home advantage.
Wale laughed: โItโs funny how boxing works at times isnโt it? My dad told me Iโd be working with Stefy and I wasnโt sure at first, but was prepared to give it a go. Most fighters need their trainer to be a father figure, but I donโt as my dad is still there, so Stefy is more like my mate.
โIโve got so much time and respect for him, and I remember the second fight with Gavin [McDonnell], as he played a huge part in securing that draw for Gav. Even though I came on strong at the end, Stefy was so good in the corner, pushing Gavin, constantly shouting every time he threw a shot, even when he missed, so itโs nice to have him in my corner this time around.
โWeโve built a strong relationship over the last 18 months and the first thing he asked me was why do I always go away from home? He tapped into my popularity and put me on the top of the bill, which works well both ways, as I always do well with tickets, because my support always follow me everywhere.โ
Since the two joined forces, Wale has won five of his last six, with the only reverse coming last July, when he was on the wrong end of a unanimous decision to top prospect Gamal Yafai in a clash for the Commonwealth super-bantamweight crown.
A decision was made and the pair decided the best weight for Wale, who has fluctuated up and down in weight throughout his career, was bantamweight, where he is now the reigning English champion after getting the better of Ramesh Ahmadi in March this year.
Wale also wants to win the title, not just for himself and his family, but for the loyal supporters who have travelled the country with him, win, lose or draw. Some have even been at his side since his first amateur fight as an 11-year-old. Josh says the win will be as much for them, as it will be for him.
โI feel strong at bantamweight now, which is crazy considering Iโve been up as high as featherweight in my career. You always say that, but I really do feel it. Iโm making the weight easier now than I ever have, which is proof that you live and learn in this sport, especially when it comes to things like rehydration.
โIโm an easy guy to relate to, as Iโm totally normal and donโt put on any big act for anyone. What you see is what you get. I always do well with tickets because of that and this win will mean as much to them, as it will do for me.
โTheyโve seen it all with me. Whether itโs a bad decision or loss, they will be back the next time to travel the country with me once more. Some of them have been with me since my first fight as an amateur and been everywhere in the UK to see me fight. This will be my way of paying them back.
โHolding that Lonsdale belt means the world to me. Iโm so well prepared for this, I canโt wait to get in there now. Iโve been sparring with Jamie McDonnell, who in my opinion is the best bantamweight on the planet, so I donโt know where you have to go to get better sparring than that.
โIt only seems like two minutes ago that I turned pro. I won an NABC Schoolboy title as an amateur and I want to get the equivalent in the proโs. I deserve this and on July 1, no one is going to deny me getting my hands on the British title.โ