James BovingtonEast Leeds boxer Jack Bagnall is ‘delighted and relieved’ at winning his sixth paid bout on a show organised by his manager Leeds promoter Mark Bateson and York former world champion Henry Wharton.
The event was held at The Engine Shed in Wetherby and themed as Saturday Mayhem.
Bagnall, 27, won all four rounds against Manchester-based Iranian Bahadur Karami.
“For various reasons this has been my only fight this year,” explained Bagnall. “I got kept out by a little injury and then to be truthful I lost my enthusiasm a bit and was in danger of slipping back into bad habits. I let myself down frankly but I’m now hoping for a very busy 2025.”
Bagnall turned professional three years ago when public boxing resumed after the pandemic.
He said: ‘I’d started boxing in 2011 aged 14. I’d always been sporty, and I played high level football in my teens.
“Truth is I was never scared of a scrap, and I wanted everyone to know that I could more than handle myself. I got into trouble with the police and was disruptive at school. I started boxing training at Burmantofts ABC and built myself a decent amateur career winning half of my 20 or so fights.
“I particularly remember being proud of an eight-fight consecutive winning streak. At sixteen I got to a national semi-final in Liverpool and boxed much more experienced lads. I also attended a boxing college run by Bradford Police Boys Club. Then I got a job and discovered girls and beer and lost the boxing mindset. I was easily led and piled on the weight.
“At 21 I attended a show organised by Danny Reynolds, a former undefeated professional. He’s become the major influence in my life and I’m so grateful that he is.
“He searched me out and I ended up accepting his challenge and boxed a good kid from Durham. I won. My bout was ‘fight of the night.’ I was hooked but then nearly got derailed again by the pandemic. Getting the professional contract with Mark Bateson was the spur I needed.”
Bagnall trains at Reynolds Boxing Academy under chief coach Danny Reynolds.
“This time in fight camp I was able to concentrate exclusively on my training. I love the atmosphere at the show and entertaining the crowd and was delighted to sell a hundred tickets and give people an awayday with a coach to the venue. The highlight of my boxing career to date was winning my six-round bout against Konstantin Aleksandrov on a dinner show at Elland Road in November last year with boxing legend Nigel Benn in the audience.”
Reynolds is complimentary about Bagnall. “I’ve trained Jack through the amateurs and he’s progressing very well as a professional. We hope that next year he’ll be doing six or even eight round fights and eventually challenging for a middleweight title. Jack trains hard in the gym. He’s always learning and he’s a great kid to train.”
Former Temple Moor High student ‘Baggy’ Bagnall is currently ranked 26th out of 76 active super middleweights licensed by British Boxing. He has high ambitions. “I want boxing to give me financial stability and to become a champion and want to fight for a regional title in 2025. My ultimate ambition would be to fight for a major title in a gruelling twelve round battle. I’ll show everyone I’m more than tough enough.”
Bagnall is currently looking for new sponsors and is best contacted via his Facebook page or Instagram @Jackbaggy24 or at bagnalljack@ymail.com .
