!["IT ONLY TOOK A ROUND OR TWO BEFORE THEY REALISED THEY'D BITTEN OFF MORE THAN THEY COULD CHEW IF THEY STARTED ON ME"](https://cdn.magzter.com/Men's Fitness/1700751497/articles/niqQXpZTX1700812856372/IT-ONLY-TOOK-A-ROUND-OR-TWO-BEFORE-THEY-REALISED-THEYD-BITTEN-OFF-MORE-THAN-THEY-COULD-CHEW-IF-THEY-STARTED-ON-ME.jpg)
They needn't have worried. I never had any fear in the gym. Billy (McKee, was founder and coach at Midland ABC) always used to say it, how game I was, how I never thought twice before getting in the ring with another kid. Others asked a lot of questions before sparring and things like that. Who is the other kid? What age is he? What weight is he? How many fights has he had? I never cared. I was happy to get in with whoever and as it was tough to find anyone as small as me it always tended to be a bigger, older, stronger fella in the opposite corner.
I wasn't a wee hard man on the street. If anything, I was too shy and at that age probably preferred to back down from physical confrontation rather than seek it out. I was never bullied or anything, but like any other kid, you got into scraps. And maybe being so small I could have become more of a target. I think that might have been part of my ma's thinking in sending me to the boxing. But in the club every Monday, Wednesday and Friday I'd move about the ring with all the lads in the area anywhere near my age and it only took a round or two before they realised they'd bitten off more than they could chew if they started on me.
This story is from the December 2023 edition of Men's Fitness UK.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the December 2023 edition of Men's Fitness UK.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
![BALANCING ACT](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/498/1740439/_GSNha05G1718963093104/BALANCING-ACT.jpg)
BALANCING ACT
Incorporate balance training into your routine to sharpen skills, reduce injury risk and boost overall performance
![TIMING IS EVERYTHING](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/498/1740439/aKtZhD2cG1718963010704/TIMING-IS-EVERYTHING.jpg)
TIMING IS EVERYTHING
KICKSTART YOUR DAY Seven concrete benefits of working out in the morning
![RACK RELIEF](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/498/1740439/Sj8zxx3ib1718962762267/RACK-RELIEF.jpg)
RACK RELIEF
Unlock strength and flexibility with these targeted mobility stretches for achieving an optimal front rack position
![MAKE WAVES](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/498/1740439/nsLLRhDWf1718962622060/MAKE-WAVES.jpg)
MAKE WAVES
Tackle this full-body session from record-breaking swimmer Ben Proud
![LIFT BURN REPEAT](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/498/1740439/fKP45HUrD1718962219265/LIFT-BURN-REPEAT.jpg)
LIFT BURN REPEAT
Metabolic resistance training (MRT) combines structured circuit training with progressive weights for time-efficient fat loss and muscle growth. World-renowned physique coach Gareth Sapstead has all you need to know
![GOAL DIGGER](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/498/1740439/1SjZl_qyL1718961665741/GOAL-DIGGER.jpg)
GOAL DIGGER
SELF-DEVELOPMENT GURU NICHOLAS BUNNEY LAYS OUT A GAME PLAN FOR SETTING ROCK-SOLID GOALS AND CHOOSING GENUINE VALUES OVER QUICK FIXES
![HORMONE HARMONY](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/498/1740439/TJ5R-7ZNF1718957703315/HORMONE-HARMONY.jpg)
HORMONE HARMONY
Life coach David Phillips beat depression and found happiness by hacking his neurochemicals - here's how you can do the same
![HOSTAGE TO HERO](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/498/1740439/nyvND2aPS1718957423381/HOSTAGE-TO-HERO.jpg)
HOSTAGE TO HERO
Keith Boyd overcame a heart condition, guerrilla warfare and kidnapping to break a 26-year-old running record
![METATATION](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/498/1740439/p1vmi8myj1718956901330/METATATION.jpg)
METATATION
Headspace XR is the mindfulness and meditation app for use with Meta Quest virtual reality headsets, but is it mind expanding or mind numbing?
![REACH FOR THE SKY](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/498/1740439/kY89dHBiK1718956746164/REACH-FOR-THE-SKY.jpg)
REACH FOR THE SKY
Hoka's Skyward X promises that holy grail of running shoes: speed and comfort. But it really shines over moderate-paced miles