James BovingtonJo Jo Callaghan enjoyed her boxing classes as a child and now over twenty years later the 37-year-old East Leeds lass has just made her professional debut on a show in Germany.
“It was all very sudden,” explained Callaghan. “I got the call and took the opportunity. I knew anything about the opponent. I thought I’d done enough to get the win. The referee thought otherwise. Nonetheless what an experience to build on.”
Callaghan is managed by former professional boxer, Lee Murtagh and began training with him at the Star Gym. “I loved training and was encouraged by Lee and Nicola Adams who was a role model as well as being in my corner in amateur bouts. I wasn’t academic and always seemed to be in trouble at school. Various things happened and I let it go. About a year ago I took my daughter to meet the always welcoming Lee at his gym Bethlehem Boxing Club in Richmond Hill to see if she’d like boxing, handing her my first pair of gloves that had languished in the wardrobe for so long. It felt like I’d come home. To such an extent that I’ve now opened my own business Ringside Diner adjacent to Bethlehem.”
“Aged eleven I was turned away by some gyms who presumably didn’t want a girl. How different it is today as boxing becomes more popular with females worldwide. My daughter has taken to it and enjoys her weekly classes with Lee. I box with an Ohio state licence as I can’t get a British one owing to my age. But I can box on Lee’s shows. I’ll be out at East End Park WMC on 22nd November. I was born and bred near East End Park. I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.”
Salesperson Karina Bowes, 25, and trainee driving instructor Lilly Denton, 28, will be joining Callaghan on November’s show. “Karina’s a former footballer who’s been training with me for about a year,” explained Murtagh. “She’s now had three bouts with a win, a loss and a draw. She’s using football skills to improve her boxing footwork. I think she could become a professional boxer just like Jo. Lilly is an experienced boxer who’s trained for four years. She’s won one bout with us at Bethlehem and lost one. All three are looking forward to 22nd November. Ladies who’d like to give boxing training a go are welcome at Bethlehem on Saturday mornings at ten for an hour’s training.”
All athletes require sponsorship. Callaghan appreciates the support she’s currently receiving from Warren & Son, BacktoBasics, Cure-It Roofing and The Chequerfield. If wanting to discuss potential sponsorship or purchase tickets for the show, then e-mail Jo Jo at jocalla02@gmail.com or call Lee Murtagh on 07793 240535 or e-mail leemurtaghbui@hotmail.com . Bethlehem Boxing Club is located on Upper Accommodation Road LS9 8RZ.
