Sport & Fitness

It’s hard now to believe that the infamous Chris Eubank vs Michael Watson showdown in 1991 attracted a television audience of 14 million. When did boxing last have that kind of pulling power? Ask the average person on the street to name the sport in which Joe Calzaghe is a current world champion and you’d probably draw a blank stare. So where did it all go wrong for the fight game?

Over the last decade, it’s indisputable that subscription TV packages for the really big contests have driven boxing out of the mainstream. The good news is that with live shows back on ITV, precipitated by the charismatic Amir Khan, things are looking up. Nor is the former Olympic silver medallist the only name in the frame. There’s a clutch of rising talent in this country and a still-healthy domestic scene to support it.

In the mix is Ross Minter, son of 1970s world and European middleweight champion Alan. I meet him in training for the first defence of his English welterweight title at the West Ham Boys Amateur Boxing Club, whose honours board reveals a roll call of fighting greats including Nigel Benn, Mark Kaylor and Terry Spinks. It’s a traditional fighting gym – no fancy facilities, just a sink clogged up with bloody tissues and a well-worn ring. Feature continues

Is it difficult dealing with the expectations that go with the family name? ‘Yes, but less so now,’ Minter insists. ‘People always used to compare me to my dad and there was huge pressure, but now I’m making my own way.’ Ross, whose parents separated when he was a child, was steered into boxing by a schoolmate and his father is proud observer rather than mentor. ‘I’m a different fighter style-wise from my dad, but the hunger, the determination, is the same. Maybe it’s in the blood. I didn’t realise just how much he had achieved until I began to try for it myself.’

A shot at the British title is within reach; what would winning the first crown his father held mean to him? ‘It would be awesome, but I don’t look too far ahead. I’m learning every day.’ An extremely personable 27-year-old, Minter sells tickets for his own fights in his local despite being teetotal (‘I get hyper on J20s!’) and enjoys surprisingly passive pursuits on his days off. ‘I’m a keen gardener and now spring is here I’m in the garden most Saturdays. I also like fishing and my girlfriend has got me into West End musicals: “Blood Brothers”, “Phantom of the Opera”… I like relaxing, because I’m pushing myself to the maximum in training, where it matters.’

Eight miles away on a quiet Clapton estate, Lennox Lewis College is the base for super-middleweight prospect Carl Froch. If you read some of the press about the man nicknamed ‘The Cobra’, you’d be forgiven for expecting a swaggering loudmouth. Instead, I spend time with an eloquent individual who exudes quiet confidence ahead of his British and Commonwealth title defence over 12 rounds against Belfast’s Brian Magee at York Hall on Friday.

His piercing blue eyes, so menacing in the ring, are twinkling with a smile as he shadow-boxes to a pumping soundtrack. ‘I’ve been doing hill sprints this morning,’ he reveals. ‘That’s where I get my strength and power. I’m in such agony I can hardly stand up and it’ll be worse tomorrow.’

Unbeaten in 18 bouts, of which 14 wins were by knockout, and world ranked number 15 by the WBA, I ask Carl when his bid for the really big one might happen. ‘Early next year,’ he replies, ‘but I want the European title first, after I’ve beaten Magee. I’m building my rankings solidly because when the world title shot comes I want to be mandatory challenger, knocking on the door for it.

‘I have a good amateur pedigree, which I believe is the foundation for a successful professional career. In 18 pro fights only four of my opponents have seen the final bell. We have to bring in cruiserweights for sparring because I punch so hard.’

Having been born and brought up in Nottingham, does he enjoy life in London? ‘I don’t go out much… I’ve got no mates down here, but I sometimes go into Islington early evening for a bite to eat. I’m in bed by ten, up at seven. Back home I have the occasional Guinness, but I’m not much of a drinker and I’ve never touched drugs. My mum instilled those values in me,’ he chuckles. ‘In fact, she’s also got me into yoga. I’ve introduced 20 minutes of it into my daily routine.’

And with that, it’s back to the grind. Minter and Froch offer Britain a bright boxing future – the challenge is making sure people recognise their faces.