by Andrew Fairley

When and why you started boxing:

I started boxing because my grandfather boxed in the Royal Marines and my dad also boxed amateur (50 fights ish). I started at nine years old.

Favourite all-time fighter:

Sugar Ray Leonard, just brilliant to watch.

Best fight you’ve seen:

Got to be Ward and Gatti.

Personal career highlight:

Winning the WBA intercontinental title also winning two British amateur titles are up there.

Toughest opponent:

Probably my last fight [Thomas Patrick Ward] I had to dig dug, his experience.

Best and worst attributes as a boxer:

My strengths are my boxing IQ and how I work out opponents and adapt, no weaknesses.

Training tip:

My best advice for being training is be consistent.

Favourite meal/restaurant:

Favourite meal – cooked breakfast, favourite restaurant – Nando’s.

Best friends in boxing:

I got a lot of friends in boxing, the boys from Gary’s gym Kane Sheppard, Kyran Jones, Liam Williams, Callum Smith, to just mention a few, and many from the amateur days, too. James Probert, John Paul Wilson, Kane Sublet and the list goes on, great memories with all of them.

Which other athlete would you like to be:

I’d love to be a football player.

Who would play you in a film of your life:

Adam Sandler.

Have you ever been starstruck:

Texas watching Jay Harris, Jesse Vargas, Danny Garcia, Chocolatito just to name a few.

Last time you cried:

The night of my last fight, had a big mix of emotions, lost two of my best friends who was my biggest supporters and would of loved them too see it.

Best advice received:

Give 100% or don’t bother.

Worst rumour about yourself:

That I’m chinny.

Something not many people know about you:

I’m petrified of spiders

What one thing would you change in boxing:

I’d change the mindset that a loss is the end of the world and your done when you’ve lost. No wonder people don’t like taking 50/50 fights.

FAST FACTS

Age: 24

Twitter: @rhysedwards2000

Nickname: Rhys Lightning

Height: 5 ft 7ins

Nationality: Welsh

Stance: Orthodox

Record: 16-0, 4 KOs

Division: Featherweight

Titles: WBA Intercontinental