SPORT: CHARLIE DUFFIELD
a fearsome pugilist was justified: he won all three of his first professional fights by knock out. But despite the success, tragedy was once again waiting in the wings. His older brother Dean, the younger Duffield’s lifelong hero, succeeded after numerous attempts to take his own life, snuffing out a promising life that has been marred by drug and alcohol addiction. From a young age, the brothers had developed an unbreakable bond; for most of their lives they were inseparable. Duffield received the hardest blow – harder than any received on the job – just as he was about to step into the ring for his fourth professional fight. It went ahead as scheduled but Duffield’s heartbreak had dampened his enthusiasm for boxing; it would be his first and only professional loss. He found himself at a crossroad, a familiar place throughout his life and career. The choices were binary: to give up and call it a day or to use the pain caused by his brother’s struggles and death to fuel his desire to
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become a world champion. Duffield displayed the true grit you’d expect from a champion. He immediately split from his trainer and signed to the world famous Mark Tibbs, under whose guidance he eats, sleeps and breathes boxing. He is the consummate professional and feared by everyone in the light heavy weight category. Charlie marked his return back to the ring under Team Tibbs for his fifth professional fight in spectacular fashion. He knocked out well-regarded prospect, Matty Parr, in the first round, sending a clear signal to everyone in the division: there will be no more wasted opportunities, no time off, and nothing and no one is going to stand in the way. Get used to hearing the name Charlie Duffield over the next few years. He will be a household name alongside the great stable of British boxers who grace our television screens, including Anthony Joshua and Dillian Whyte. That he is a fighter is clear before the first punch has even been thrown. Charlie’s next fight is on the 28 April at the Brentwood Centre; www.brentwood-centre.co.uk