Sixty seconds with…Bobby Faulkner
Age: 25
Nationality: British
From: Manchester
Record: 10-0
Trained by: Anthony Crolla
Next fight: Potentially in Pakistan in May
When and why did you start boxing:
One of my mates was an amateur boxer. He was a couple of years older than me. I went to his house, and we used to fight in his living room. He said I should come to the gym because I would be good at it. I ended up going, and it went from there.
Favourite all-time fighter:
Sugar Ray Leonard. Leonard had a bit of everything. He was skilful and gritty, and he fought the very best fighters from his era.
Best fight you’ve seen:
I really liked the Marco Antonio Barrera and Erik Morales fights. But my favourite fight of all time is Muhammad Ali against George Foreman. The best fight I have seen live is the first fight between Carl Froch and George Groves.
Personal career highlight:
Boxing for England as an amateur.
Toughest opponent:
Aadam Hussain. He is a tricky southpaw. I boxed him twice in the amateurs. I nicked both fights, but only by the skin of my teeth. He was very hard work.
Best and worst attributes as a boxer:
I have a very good fight IQ, but I can get drawn into a fight too easily, rather than sticking to my boxing.
Training tip:
Always stay in the gym. Stay ready.
Best friends in boxing:
All the fighters from the Crolla Gym and some of my old amateur friends as well.
What’s the attraction of boxing:
I just love the fighting. I think it’s what we men strive to do. But it also gives me good mental health.
Where would you be without boxing:
I bet many say they would be in prison. But I would just be working, drinking, and partying all the time.
Who inspires you the most and why:
My old man inspires me. He has come from nothing, he’s done well for himself, and he has always been there for me. But I would also say Anthony Crolla. I work alongside someone who has been a world champion. So it’s good to be coached by him, and he has also come from nothing.
What one thing would you change to make the sport better:
One world champion in each weight category, and obviously only one set of world rankings as well.
Best advice received:
To stay away from women and partying. But I never listened.
First-ever boxing memory:
When my mate first got me to come to the gym, I just thought it stinks in here, get me out of here.
Something not many people know about you:
I used to play football. I was a decent midfielder back in the day. I played for Oldham Athletic for years and Blackburn Rovers for a while. But I stopped playing when I was around 16.
