Grant Cunningham's debt to mentor

Stafford's Grant Cunningham today put his current and future success down to 11 years of mentoring from the town's popular figure Rod Woodward.

Woodward is etched into the town's folklore through his keen interest in both boxing and football, as a club director at Stafford Rangers.

The 60-year-old founded Stafford Town Amateur Boxing Club on 1 October 1980, which is still in operation as the Right Stuff ABC.

In the ring, Woodward fought professionally at heavyweight until his career - and so nearly his life - was cut short at just 26.

Cancer forced him to have two-thirds of his right lung removed but he lived to tell the tale, coming across a young Cunningham over a decade ago.

Since then, Woodward has nurtured one of the town's brightest young talents in and out of the ring, as Cunningham grew into a man.

For the club Woodward founded, Cunningham won a Midlands title and reached the national semi-final in the ABA Novices before turning pro.

The 28-year-old has a steady head on his shoulders outside of the ring, as well, having qualified and held down a job as an electrical engineer.

And Cunningham agrees he owes a debt to his mentor for all he has achieved in his life.

He said: "Rod used to have bags set up in his yard at work and, before I started boxing, I used to see him around the town all of the time.

"He used to say 'you have got some good shoulders on you, you should get in the boxing gym,' so I asked if he wouldn't mind helping me train.

"He taught me a good work ethic, I have never had the chance to cut corners with him, I have always had to do things properly.

"He still comes to most of my training sessions and he's always been there to keep me on the straight and narrow.

"I owe him a lot, in that sense, I wouldn't be where I am today if he hadn't got me by the scruff of the neck! It's paid off big."

Woodward has even set up a room at his work place, security company Mayflower Control on Herbert Road, for Cunningham to train.

But the old veteran - from the 'put something back in' brigade - insists they both train local children at an open session on Monday nights.

Now Cunningham will take in his fourth pro fight at Walsall Town Hall next Saturday night, against rugged Welsh brawler Anthony Trow.

The undefeated middleweight from Moss Pit has seen off his three opponents - one inside the distance - with relative ease so far.

He said: "Since I have turned pro, there has been a lot more interest in me from people in the town, which is promising.

"I am taking each fight as it comes and from what I am told, this guy is a brawler, so I will take my time with him.

"Don't get me wrong, I like to have a tear-up, but what's the point? You will only see that when I am being outboxed.

"Hopefully, I won't have to bring that out anytime soon."

For tickets to be ringside to see one of only two professional boxers from Stafford, call 07961 090 445.