By James Bovington

Stockport Boxer Rhys Woods is looking to 'bring title belts to Stockport' following defeats in his last two fights.

"I became a father and had other issues to address," explained Woods. "Taking a break from a sport that demands full focus seemed best. Now I'm ready. I haven't made any changes to my team.

"I was responsible for being defeated. Boxing demands mental as well as physical strength and I've improved my mindset to be fully focused. I've won six professional matches and boxed on major shows for some big platforms such as Channel 5 and Boxing Social and fought for a central area title, so I know I'm good when at my best."

Woods started boxing at Shinny's Gym aged eighteen to improve fitness. "I started sparring and had my first bout aged nineteen", he explained. "I soon realised that for me nothing matches the emotions as I step through the ropes committed to proving just what I'm made of and then having my hand raised as winner. I won five of six amateur bouts including a north-northwest title and turned professional after Covid."

Rhys has appeared in some major shows on Channel 5 and Boxing Social (Image supplied)

Stockport born and bred, super welterweight Woods, 26, works full time in the family business. The former Marple Hall student loves football and was a goalkeeper for Rose Hill Rovers for eleven years. "Joe Calzaghe is my favourite boxer of all time", he said. "Like me a southpaw his boxing achievements were incredible beating the likes of Roy Jones, Bernard Hopkins, Jeff Lacey, Mickelson Kessler.

"He'll have faced the challenge which faces all prospects of having to sell tickets to pay his wages and the opponent's. Training and working all week and the dropping off tickets on days off.

Being a professional boxer requires commitment, dedication and ambition. Boxers are brave. Courage is required to trade powerful, repeated potentially devastating shots especially to the head. "Maybe you also need a couple of screws loose" joked Woods.

"But you must enjoy it. Enjoying boxing and entertaining supporters is why I box."

(Image supplied)

Rhys is currently looking for sponsors to help him in his boxing career. He is grateful to current sponsors Da Shop, Sharp Art Studio, W M Howkins Ltd, and Be Fit Massage Therapy.

He said: £Future potential sponsors please contact me via email [email protected] or @rhysboxerwoods98 on Instagram and Rhys Woods on Facebook. Or contact my trainer @rb_pro_boxing on Instagram. I promise everyone that I'll give my all every time I step through those ropes to take what's mine and bring title belts to Stockport."

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