60 seconds with Tysie Gallagher

Age: 25 

Twitter: @tysiegallagher

Nationality: British

From: Luton, Bedfordshire

Stance: Orthodox

Height: 5 ft 5 in

Record: 7-2

Most recent fight: May 24 against Stevi Levy for the British and Commonwealth super-bantamweight titles.

When and why you started boxing:

I started when I was 11, and I went because I had just been diagnosed with ADHD. I needed something to channel all that energy into something. It seemed to work, and I haven’t looked back since.

Favourite all-time fighter:

Canelo Alvarez. He is such a good all-rounder. Canelo can do it all. He can do everything.

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – MAY 04: Canelo Alvarez lands a right against Jaime Munguia in their super middleweight championship title fight at T-Mobile Arena on May 04, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Best fight you’ve seen:

The first fight between Sugar Ray Leonard and Thomas Hearns in 1981. From when I first started watching boxing and looking back at all the old fights, that is the one that sticks out in my mind.

Personal career highlight:

It has to be walking into the ring for my WBO world title fight against Segolene Lefebvre in 2023. It was such an electrifying moment and one that I will remember forever.

Toughest opponent:

I would have to say, Nina Hughes. Nina is so relentless and she is really tough.

Best and worst attributes as a boxer:

I think I am a really good counterpuncher. I am very sharp with my counters. My worst attribute is probably that I can get caught up in a fight, and I don’t get back to my boxing quickly enough.

Training tip:

If you are going to do something, put 100% into something or don’t do it at all. Put everything into it so you don’t have any regrets.

Favourite meal/restaurant:

Miller & Carter. Steak and sweet potato fries. I even eat that lettuce starter because I am usually starving when I go in there, and it kind of adds to the experience.

Best friends in boxing:

It has to be my gymmate Frankie Storey. We grew up together in Luton. We boxed as amateurs together, and now we are boxing in the professional ranks together.

Which other athlete would you like to be:

Kobe Bryant. Physically, emotionally, and mentally, he was so on point. I have read a couple of his books, and he is a big inspiration to me.

Last film/TV show you saw:

Baby Reindeer on Netflix. It is so weird, and I still can’t get it out of my head. It’s not right.

Who would play you in a film of your life:

Jennifer Lopez. She is strong, independent, and fights for what is right.

Have you ever been starstruck:

When I was about thirteen and boxing in Sheffield when I got out of the ring, Tyson Fury was there. I was trying to act all cool, but I wasn’t expecting that.

Last time you cried:

It’s been a couple of years, so after seeing that question, I feel as though I should have a good cry now. I can’t even remember what I would have cried about.

Best advice received:

If it was easy, everyone would do it. It just goes to show that what I do, not a lot of people can do.

Something not many people know about you:

I am actually a qualified barber. So I would probably be doing that if I wasn’t boxing.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years:

An undisputed world champion and living a good life with my friends and family. The people who have been around me when things have been tough.

What one thing would you change in boxing:

I would push women’s boxing more. Even though things have improved in the last few years, our side of the sport isn’t being pushed as hard as a lot of people are making out. A lot of female fighters, me included, haven’t had the opportunities to show our talent.