The gloves are now off for Daniel Breeze
Bloxwich's Daniel Breeze has explained why he's decided to ditch his gloves to fight bareknuckle and turn his back on professional boxing.
The 20-year-old ticket seller from Walsall had won all of his 10 pro bouts and captured a belt last May,
Operating at middleweight, 'the Hurricane' outboxed Natty Howell over eight rounds to win a British Challenge strap at Villa Park and was in line for a shot at the Midlands crown.
Breeze looked to have a bright future in paid boxing, but he's decided to quit and join the growing bareknuckle circuit.
He's already had a couple of low-key wins and now meets Lee Noble for the vacant British light middleweight title a week on Saturday.
Noble has also made the switch from pro boxing. He fought out of the Ingles' gym in Sheffield and Breeze explained why he's decided to change codes.
He said: "I was hoping for a big fight after I beat Natty but, for one reason or another, it didn't happen. I could have hung around, but I'm realistic.
"I was never going to be a world champion and I didn't fancy selling tickets to fight journeymen. Bareknuckle boxing is a growing sport and I like a fight, I always have.
"There aren't any journeymen in bareknuckle boxing. It would hurt too much to be a journeyman! Every bareknuckle fight is 50-50 and that's what I want – and the crowds want.
"People want to see 50-50 fights and knockouts – you get that in bareknuckle boxing."
Bareknuckle shows are starting to attract big crowds and the show, in Coventry, is already heading for a sell out.
Though there's been criticism of the sport, it's legal and the promoters have insisted that the fighters' safety is their priority.
Ringside doctors can stop a fight at any time and Breeze is well aware of the sport's dangers.
He said: "You don't want to be taking too many punches in a bareknuckle fight. Every punch hurts and you can't take a breather.
"You can take a breather in boxing but if you try to take a breather in a bareknuckle fight, you're going to get hurt."
Breeze has been fighting for a long time. He started kickboxing aged five and went on to have a successful amateur career with Walsall Wood Boxing Club.
He hasn't ruled out a return to pro boxing, adding: "I want to go as far as I can in bareknuckle but, one day, I might go back to boxing, if the (British Boxing) Board (of Control) let me."
Tickets for the show in Coventry, which will be held at the Sports Connexion in Ryton, are available now from 07940 234 346.
