Few have seen their notepads splattered with blood in the front row and stepped between the ropes themselves, but Lee Gormley is one of this rare breed.
The 31-year-old is taking the early steps of his professional boxing career, moving to 2-0 last weekend, but these are far from his first forays into the sport.
The Northern Irishman studied journalism at university and looked to be fulfilling his dreams when going on to write for the likes of Boxing Monthly, Boxing News and RTE Sport.
However, a new ambition was taking hold, and while still typing, it’s punching that Gormley really wanted to be do with his hands, which is exactly what he did.
‘When I started boxing it was mainly for a new sporting focus after I’d been injured playing football. But I instantly got hooked and wanted to compete straight away,’ Gormley told Metro.co.uk.
‘I ended up having my first amateur fight around 2016/17. The amateur experience was vital for eventually turning professional, I fought so many different styles of fighters in almost 40 bouts. But it was always the pro game I had my eye on down the line.’
Now Boxing Content and Social Media Specialist for BOXRAW, Gormley is fitting in an intense schedule of training, working, fighting and everything else that goes with pursuing a fledgling professional career. All alongside bringing up a young family.
‘It’s been a very hard process but it’s worth it,’ he said. ‘There are times when it’s very strenuous, having to train and then work and support my family as well, but I always find enjoyment from it all.
‘I train for two hours every morning at Elite Boxing Gym in Bolton, then I go home and work my full-time job at BOXRAW until the evening. Then I’ll get my roadwork in after the night time routine.
‘All the while I have my fiance and young son to support, including the usual drop offs and pick-ups at work and nursery etc. I’m fortunate to work at a company that is centred around boxing, so there’s flexibility when it comes to training and fighting as my colleagues realise what it takes to balance a pro career too. It’s hectic but I get it done.
‘A lot of people will only see the actual training and fight nights. But there’s far more pressures to the pro game.
‘The main thing at this level is selling tickets and sorting out sponsors to support your career. In order to be able to actually step into the ring, there are specific costs that have to be covered first through tickets sales and any help from sponsors.
‘But I’ve been lucky to meet some great sponsors who help me with the journey and I’ve had the support from those I know in coming to watch me fight, which I’m grateful for.’
Covering the triumphs and disasters of fighters could inspire or daunt someone on their own path to the ring, but the Bolton-based super featherweight has very much felt the former.
‘Writing about and studying boxing definitely helped nudge me towards wanting to compete myself,’ he explained. ‘Despite the hardships you hear so often about all the legendary fighters, a fire got lit in me that still wanted to get involved.
‘It was the journey fighters go on and the levels they’re willing to go to to achieve their goals that inspired me. I’d always been in sport from I was a kid but boxing was different. I know that now as a fact. It’s tough but I love it.
‘I think covering the sport helps with fighting to a certain degree. There are technical benefits to it, having studied and watched boxing so closely for years from outside the ring. I can take some of that into the ring with me and am aware of potential risks or things to avoid.
‘A key thing that helps too is having analysed so much for work and as a fan, I can work with my coach on certain techniques and shots that particular fighters utilised. It’s bringing knowledge from one area to another within the same space.’
This is no quick foray into the pro game to rustle up an engaging magazine feature, Gormley has serious ambitions in the ring, and given his work ethic, it would be very foolish to underestimate him as he aims big.
‘I’m in this for the long run, boxing is my lifestyle. I’m all in,’ he said. ‘Everything revolves around boxing for me, for both my job and my pro career.
‘I’m improving constantly and learning on the job with these early fights. The next few months I’ll be staying as active as possible and hopefully stepping up in rounds gradually then the aim is titles.
‘I’ve always said I’d love to win an Irish title down the line and the Central Area title would be a nice one to win since I’m based in Manchester. Then I’ll continue pushing on from there and strive for even more.’
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