Newark’s unbeaten Tom Cowling is no fan of YouTube boxing

Age: 27

Instagram: tomcowling1

Nationality: English

From: Newark

Weight: Super-middleweight

Stance: Orthodox

Height: 5ft 11 ins

Record: 12-0, 4 KOs

When and why you started boxing?

I started boxing at 10 years old. It was becoming a regular occurrence getting red cards at football and my dad wasn’t having any of it so he took me down to the boxing gym.

Favourite all-time fighter?

Roberto Duran.

Best fight you’ve seen?

Leigh Wood vs Michael Conlan.

Personal career highlight?

Making my pro debut in front of all my family and friends. Got the stoppage in round two. Be hard to match that feeling.

Toughest opponent?

Liam Davies. Only lad to have stopped me in 90 fights. I think I was 15. It taught me a lot. No shame in losing to him, just look what he’s gone on to do in the sport.

Best and worst attributes as a boxer?

Best I would say is my strength. The worst is I like my food too much. That’s the hardest part making weight. 

Training tips?

Bit rich coming from me, because I hate training, but you get what you put in.

Favourite meal and restaurant?

I like all food but if I had to pick one it would be Castle Cuisine Indian restaurant in my hometown of Newark.

Best friends in boxing?

Carl Greaves and my dad. Also my amateur trainer Joe Elliott did a lot for me getting me fights up and down the country, week in week out, all for the love of it.

Which other athlete would you like to be?

Roger Federer. 

One thing you would change about professional boxing?

I’m actually not a massive fan of boxing, I just enjoy the fighting. I know these YouTubers are ruining the sport but it’s all to do with money I get that.

Who would play you in a film of your life?

Tom Hardy.

Have you ever been starstruck?

I once met Joe Calzaghe when I was 12 years old. To cut a long story short, he got me a fizzy drink and a bag full of sweets from a petrol station. He also gave me some great advice, which I have always kept with me.

When was the last time you cried and why? 

Wasn’t too long ago, I don’t mind a cry.

Tell us something not many people know about you?

I’m a born-again Christian. Big believer in Jesus.