When and why you started boxing:
I was 29 when I started. I took part in a charity event and really enjoyed it, so then I went to North Mersey ABC in Seaforth.
Favourite all-time fighter:
Joe Calzaghe. I always liked his come-forward southpaw style.
Best fight you’ve seen:
Joe Calzaghe vs Jeff Lacy and Josh Warrington vs Carl Frampton. Josh really showed his fitness and work rate in that fight.
Personal career highlight:
Being selected to box for England in the GB Championships as an amateur.
Toughest opponent:
I lost to Lisa Whiteside in the flyweight final at the 2017 England Boxing National Elite Championships. I thought it was an unfair decision. Not necessarily the toughest opponent, but the toughest thing to take.
Best and worst attributes as a boxer:
My strengths are my determination and fitness. My weakness is that I’m sometimes too hard on myself because I always want to succeed and push myself.
Training tip:
Always be fit. The one thing to get you through any fight is fitness.
Favourite meal/restaurant:
A nice big burger and chips from Chicago in Liverpool.
Best friends in boxing:
My trainer, Sid Saidankay. He’s done a lot for me as an amateur and a pro.
Other sportsperson you would like to be:
Probably a runner. I’ve always liked running.
Last film/TV show you saw:
[TV series] Queen of the South.
Who would play you in a film of your life:
Angelina Jolie.
Have you ever been starstruck:
I’m an Evertonian, but my son signed for Liverpool when he was nine and Steven Gerrard was there for the contract signing. All the cameras were flashing and it was overwhelming!
Last time you cried:
Last year was quite a tough one. I lost my nan during my first training camp as a pro. Then I lost my father-in-law ahead of my next fight. But I went and got wins for both of them.
Best advice received:
‘We’re not here forever, so just go and enjoy it.’ That’s from my coach, Sid.
Worst rumour about yourself:
I don’t think I’ve heard anything.
Something not many people know about you:
When I was 13, I fell from a roof of a youth centre and broke my leg. I was a tomboy and I liked climbing!
FAST FACTS
Age: 33
Twitter: @SkellyCarly
Nickname: ‘Thumper’
Height: 5ft 1in
Nationality: English
From: Liverpool
Stance: Southpaw
Record: 3-0
Division: Super-bantamweight
Titles: n/a
Next fight: Skelly contests the vacant Commonwealth female super-bantamweight title against Amy Timlin on the Oleksandr Usyk-Dereck Chisora undercard this Saturday (October 31).
