BOXING is a sport where competitors tend to avoid ever acknowledging any form of weakness. That’s partly to reassure themselves that they have it takes to succeed in an unforgiving venture, and also to not present their opponents with even a tiny chink in their armour that could be exploited at devasting cost.
David Jamieson, though, is happy to break the mould. The 31 year-old has been on the scene long enough to speak candidly about the sacrifices involved to push for the top, especially when his boxing training tends to bookend an also demanding day job, and to wonder out loud whether it is always worth it. The cruiserweight’s belief in his abilities has been topped up by his performance in the recent bout for the British title that ended only when he, somewhat unfortunately, had his jaw broken and couldn’t continue, but with that comes recognition that all that physical strain can only go on for so long with little in the way of tangible reward.
The East Kilbride fighter returns to the ring tomorrow night in Glasgow on the undercard of Nathaniel Collins’ double title contest hoping to show he can build on that tough loss to Mikael Lawal in December. The hope is that it can be the gateway to more lucrative opportunities later in the year and give him additional incentive to continue hitting the gym and pounding the pavements.
“I don’t want to be fighting journeymen any more,” admits the Kynoch Boxing operator. “No disrespect to them as we need them in our game for the learning fights. But I’m 31 now. I’ve been doing this for 16 years and time is of the essence. I’m not kidding anyone on.
“The couch definitely gets comfier when you get home from work these days. And sparring with young boys who want to cave your head in three nights a week - that doesn’t do it for me. Fight night’s a different story for me. I’m always up for that. It’s about getting proper meaningful fights for the next two or three years and that will be me.
“If decent money comes along, if you’re on the telly, then maybe the four-year mark. Of course you’ll hang on for that. The problem is I’m working a 50-hour week. I’m a construction workshop manager. So you’re out running in the morning, then out on the tools all day from 7am to 5pm, and then back in the gym at night.
“That’s not a “poor me” story, as everybody has to do it. It’s just an honest admission from a fighter who’s been about a while. Other boxers will say they’re getting tougher all the time. I admit I’m getting softer as I get older. And it’s getting harder.
“If I could get proper money and sponsorship I could maybe work a 20-hour week and dedicate more time to rest and training. I remember my mum used to always talk about burning the candle at both ends and that’s what I’m doing. I need to get back in the top 10, back on the television and see where it can take me.”
Although the loss to Lawal was a painful one mentally and physically – he still has the titanium plate in his jaw to prove it – Jamieson believes it can be the springboard to better days.
“My main concern at that time was whether I was going to be able to eat my Christmas dinner!” he smiles. “Once that was out the way it was all about trying to capitalise on this momentum. Let’s not fall by the wayside. That performance is still fresh in everybody’s heads.
“I was potentially within touching distance of lifting the British title. So I want to get back out there and do the business. I’m always looking to stop guys. I’m 13th in Britain and a knockout win, the way it works with the points system, will take me back into the top 10.
“And then I’m just after big fights. I’d love a proper crack of the whip against one of these big lads on the telly. Sky have said they’ll honour their word and get me back on a show with proper notice this time. I firmly believe I’ll be in the running again for the British title but I’ll take whatever comes my way.”
