I still laugh when people do a double-take at boxing events. "Aren't you...?" Yeah, I'm that guy whose dad played Des Barnes on Coronation Street for eight bloody years. The shadow's pretty long when your old man was part of British television royalty. But tonight in Manchester, as I tape my hands for fight number three, nobody gives a toss about my last name.
God. The journey here's been anything but straightforward.
When Your Dad's Face Was on Everyone's Telly
Growing up with Phil Middlemiss as your father meant I was always adjacent to fame without actually being famous. Weird position for a kid. I'd visit teh Corrie set, watch him work with Denise Welch and the others, all while thinking I'd probably follow those footsteps. And I did, for a while. Got decent roles on Emmerdale and Waterloo Road that paid the bills. My agent was convinced I'd be the "next big thing" (her words, not mine) if I just stuck with it.
But something else was calling me.
Back in 2018, I wandered into a boxing gym on a whim. Just needed to blow off some steam after a particularly brutal audition rejection. The casting director actually said—to my face—that I had "all of my father's mannerisms but none of his presence." Ouch. I hammered that punching bag until my knuckles bled.
The Sweaty Truth Nobody Tells You
Let me be crystal clear: acting is cushy compared to boxing. Like, not even in the same universe of difficulty.
My first amateur fight? I threw up twice beforehand. Hands shaking so bad I could barely get my gloves on. Won the bout, somehow, but spent $400 on physiotherapy the next week because my body felt like it had been hit by a truck.
Yet I kept coming back. Won the English and North West championships as an amateur. My dad would sit ringside, simultaneously proud and terrified. After one particularly brutal match, he confessed he'd taken a beta blocker just to watch without having a heart attack. Poor bloke.
Cameras Don't Scare Me... But Mexicans Might
Eddie Hearn signed me in early 2024. I remember calling my acting agent to tell her I was going pro in boxing. Her response: "already updating my resume." We both knew what it meant—I was choosing the harder path.
Tonight I'm facing Alexander Morales (6-11-5), a tough Mexican who's known for taking punishment like it's his favorite hobby. My trainer Jamie Moore—same guy who trains Jack Catterall—keeps telling me to stick to the gameplan. But plans have a funny way of evaporating when someone's trying to reorganize your face.
I'm 2-0 so far. Small victories.
When Two Worlds Collide (And Sometimes Crash)
The weirdest part? The skills actually overlap. I told BBC Sport recently that my acting background helps me sell fights. When those cameras point at me during weigh-ins or press conferences, I don't freeze up like some fighters do. Been there, done that, got the drama school t-shirt.
I still take acting gigs between training camps. Last November I filmed a small part in a crime drama while nursing a rib injury nobody on set knew about. Every time someone hugged me in a scene, I wanted to scream.
My dad's always been supportive, though I caught him looking at medical insurance policies on his laptop after my last fight. He loves boxing but hates seeing his son get hit. Complicated emotions, right?
The Raw, Lonely Truth
Boxing is the loneliest sport in the world.
When you're standing across from another man who's trained specifically to hurt you, there's no team to bail you out. My acting friends don't really get it. They think it's some macho phase I'll grow out of. Maybe they're right? I've questioned my sanity more than once, especially at 5am roadwork sessions in Manchester rain.
But there's something about that moment when the bell rings... it's like the purest form of existence. No pretending. No second takes. Just truth.
I've had injuries that made me wonder if this was worth it—a fractured orbital bone in 2021 cost me £2,500 in medical bills my insurance didn't cover. And the paydays at this level are... well, let's just say I'm not driving a Ferrari.
What My Father Never Expected
When I told my family I was ditching the comfortable acting path for getting punched in the face professionally, they weren't exactly shocked. Concerned? Yes. Surprised? Not really. Anyone who knows me understands I've always been drawn to things that test me completely.
My dad once admitted after three pints that he thinks I chose boxing partly to create my own identity away from his Coronation Street fame. He's probably right... though I'd never tell him that to his face.
Tonight, as I step into the ring in Manchester, I'll be thinking about the journey. The setbacks. The victories. The times I've questioned everything.
And then I'll forget it all when the first punch lands.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you choose the right size boxing glove for your hand?
Size and type depend on weight, level of protection needed, and the activity that you are engaging in. Gloves measure in ounces. Beginners usually start out with 14oz or 12oz gloves to train for general sparring and then upgrade to heavier ones for more protection.
What equipment will I need to begin boxing?
For safety and to ensure effective training, you need the right equipment. It includes a boxing glove and hand wraps which protect the wrists and arms, as well a mouthguard if you are sparring. Also, comfortable athletic clothes and boxing footwear are recommended for improved movement and support.
What is amateur and professional Boxing?
Amateur Boxing tends more to focus on the sports aspect. This means that it is less concerned with knockouts and more about technique, skills, and points. It usually involves shorter rounds, and protective headgear is required. Professional boxing is a full time career that involves longer rounds and no headgear. It also places a higher emphasis on power, knockouts, and more powerful punches.
Statistics
- Nearly 95% of boxing trainers agree that mental conditioning is just as important as physical training for beginners in the sport.
- Women are joining boxing in increasing numbers, rising by about 15% in the past decade, indicating growing gender diversity in the sport.
- Around 90% of boxers suffer a minor injury over the course of a year, with only 10-15% experiencing a moderate to severe injury.
- Research indicates that nearly 70% of punches thrown by boxers during a match are jabs.
- Approximately 80% of boxing injuries occur during training, not in actual competition.
- Studies show that proper hand wrapping can reduce the chance of hand and wrist injuries by as much as 40%.
- Beginner boxers tend to make the mistake of holding their breath in 70% of cases during their initial training sessions.
- It is estimated that 60% of beginner boxers do not use the correct size gloves, which can increase the risk of injury.
- Studies suggest that about 30% of beginner boxers tend to neglect the importance of footwork in their initial training phase.
- On average, beginners who undergo proper boxing training can expect to burn anywhere from 300 to 500 calories per hour.
External Links
How To
How to Work on a Bag for Beginners
It is great for developing strength and learning combinations. Start with basic punches, focusing on proper form and technique. Use the bag to mimic an opponent, moving around it and striking at different angles and heights. As you advance, add more complex combos and increase intensity. As you progress, add more complex combinations and increase intensity.
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