Q&A - Jamie Arlain

Although the North East boxing scene is buzzining in the month of March, we are British Boxing Blog so look to cover the lenght of the country. Having witnessed first hand some of the prospects under Goodwin promotions, we jumped at the chance to speak to another, Super-Lightweight Jamie Arlain. Find out why its sink or swim for the Bethnal Green man.

British Boxing Blog - Tell us about your boxing background please? How did you first get in to boxing?

Jamie Arlain - I had 44 amateur fights I started boxing the age of 9. An old school friend took me one evening. He stopped and I carried on going, never looked back since.

BBB - Who are your boxing idols?

JA - Joe Calzaghe and Rocky Marciano.

BBB - You turned pro in 2010, but after your debut, took a five year break from the sport. You admitted you "turned pro too young", do you now feel ready for a proper crack at the pro game?

JA - Yes I feel the time is right I have a great team & trainer and great people around me. Also I have a family of my own so want to make my daughter proud. It’s make or break for me, I'm not getting any younger! BBB - You fought twice in 2015, winning them both. Are you hoping to be even more active in 2016?

JA - Yes I want to be more active and start stepping up to 6 rounders and testing myself this year.

BBB - You're signed with Goodwin promotions, just how important are they in managing you and directing your career?

JA - Goodwin are such a great team. Steve is doing a great job with me, we're not rushing anything taking it one step at a time and when he thinks the time is right to step up we’re going for it. BBB - Tell us about the local scene in Hackney & Bethnal Green? Is there a thriving boxing scene in London at the minute?

JA - At the minute we have some big names coming through but just starting out. I hope to be the next big thing to come out of Bethnal Green. BBB - What are your aims for 2016? Where would you like to be by the end of the year?

JA - I would like to challenge for a title or be in the mix for a title shot in 2016, take bigger fights in 2016. And see the level I'm at.

BBB - We are yet to visit York Hall (but would love to this year), how special is that place and how much do you enjoy boxing there?

JA - York Hall is the home of boxing. Some of the top names in British boxing have all boxed there. I love boxing at York Hall. It’s my own back yard, going there as a kid swimming, now fighting in there is a dream. BBB - Do you work full time away from boxing? If so, how do you cope with the pressures of juggling your job with your boxing training and making sure everything goes right in preparing for fights?

JA - Yes I work full time at York Hall ha, I lifeguard there. It is hard but I have the facilities of the swimming pool & gym so that's helps a lot. So when I'm not down the boxing gym I'm using my work facilities. So I'm lucky in that way & I do shift work so my boxing fits in around that. BBB - Which boxer, apart from yourself, do you believe we should be keeping an eye on in 2016?

JA - My stable gym mate Kay prospere he going places in 2016.

Big thanks to Jamie for speaking to us and you can follow him on Twitter @arlain_jamie88

#Arlain #London #Goodwin #YorkHall