FOR some boxers there is more at stake when fighting than there is for others. While the danger remains the same for all, some boxers, given everything they have sacrificed and all that is on the line, know they are just one defeat away from the end of a farfetched dream.
In the case of Salfordโs Marc Leach, 18-1-1 (4), this is a thought he has had to entertain for much of his eight-year professional career. As a super-bantamweight, the 28-year-old finds himself plying his trade in a somewhat unglamorous division and has for many years had to juggle his boxing career with both full-time work and full-time parenting. His boxing life, therefore, is somewhat different than others. His need for victory is as great as it can possibly be.
โI used to be a warehouse worker in Argos, doing the night shifts,โ he told Boxing News. โIt was the only job that would fit around boxing and school runs. My boys both play football now as well, so Iโm also a football manager. Itโs always busy, busy, busy.
โAt Argos, I was working either 6pm to 2am or 10pm to 6am. Iโd then take the kids to school at 8am, pick them up at 3pm, and in between find time to train. Iโd be getting two hours of sleep a day, which was a nightmare. Iโd be training with migraines all the time and always feeling sluggish. But the last fight was the first time I had a proper camp and I enjoyed it. I hope there will be many more like that in the future.โ
Last time out, in March, Leachโs future was at stake in a British title fight against Chris Bourke, a Londoner unbeaten in 10 fights. It was a fight Leach had to win, especially if his aim was to pursue boxing full-time and make a proper career of it, and it was also a fight he did win, comfortably beating Bourke on the scorecards after 12 rounds.
โI saw that as basically my first pro fight,โ Leach recalled. โIt was the first time Iโd had a full camp and not had to work. I enjoyed the fight.
โIn the past Iโve been fighting journeymen and they just come to survive. Itโs been a bit boring and a bit disheartening. But when a boxer comes to fight and win, it brings out the best in me. When a journeyman just covers up and doesnโt try anything, itโs hard to stop them or get anything going. They just try to survive and it ends up being a bit of a nightmare.
โOver the years Iโd not been getting the fights I wanted because Iโm not this massive ticket-seller and I donโt have a big promoter behind me. Iโve not had any gifts given to me. Iโve had to do it all the hard way. Iโve grafted and fought for free and sometimes even been out of pocket myself because of this sport. Iโm not in it for the money.
โBut this is the stage now where money starts to come into it and I can look after my family properly. I can start rewarding them for suffering just as much as I do.โ
The Bourke win, though a vital one, wasnโt without its issues, as the new champion explained: โBetween rounds five and seven I hurt my hand โ it turns out I split a tendon in my finger โ but obviously the adrenaline got me through the fight and it didnโt change anything.
โMy handโs fine now. I was going to a hand specialist two or three times a week straight after the fight and itโs had more than enough time to heal. Iโve been sparring plenty and punching the bag and itโs ready to go. Now Iโm ready for the next one and there will be no excuses come fight night.โ
Next for Leach is a British title defence, his first, against the unbeaten Liam Davies, 11-0, on June 11 in Telford. It is of course another must-win fight and one that will move Leach a step closer to fulfilling his dream of winning the Lonsdale belt outright.
โFingers crossed, if all goes to plan, I can win it outright by the end of this year,โ he said. โWeโll see what happens next but Iโd love to win that belt outright.
โSaying that, Iโve got to take whatever opportunities come my way. Iโve got two kids and money isnโt the best at the minute. The more you win, the bigger belts you get, and the bigger the money becomes. Iโve just got to keep winning and take opportunities when they come.โ
As for Davies, his next opponent, Leach admits he knows very little about him, yet believes he has seen enough to be confident the British super-bantamweight title will remain in Salford.
โIโve only seen one fight of his and that was years ago,โ he said. โIt was back when I boxed on Sky Sports and I remember I got a phone call saying if I gave up my English (title) I could fight for the British. I got s**t on with that, but I gave it up and he fought for it. He fought one of my old sparring partners, Sean Cairns, and thatโs the only fight of his Iโve seen. That was obviously a few years ago now and heโs improved. Heโs tall for the weight, heโll come to put the pressure on, but it will be another masterclass from me, I reckon.โ