James Bovington
Boxing Correspondent
9:29 AM 26th October 2024
sports
Profile Of Burnley Boxer Reece Farnhill
Charles "The Bull" Shepherd now 54 may well have been born in Burnley and become an amateur champion aged fifteen but he moved away from the Lancashire town to settle in Carlisle aged sixteen and it’s from there that he won British, Commonwealth and world titles as a super featherweight. Burnley boxer Reece Farnhill may yet have some way to go to emulate Shepherd, but he’s committed to Burnley and it’s from there that he intends to become at least a British champion.
Farnhill is presently celebrating winning the vacant English super middleweight title following his victory over Rochdale-based Ryszard Lewicki in an all-Lancashire derby on an Oldham show organised by promoter Frank Duffin and Farnhill’s manager Kevin Maree.
“I was delighted to get the win and therefore the title belt, albeit by split decision,” said Farnhill. “I’d won two title eliminator fights to get my chance to go for this title. Fight preparation had been great with a demanding eight weeks build up. I kept myself quiet and worked hard being closed doors to make sure I was ready to win. The fight went well as I executed the game plan. I made some mistakes maybe lost two of the ten rounds but ended up digging deep and winning. I enjoyed the match. It was competitive and I’m pleased that I pushed the pace throughout landing the cleaner, more hurtful shots.”
Twenty-six-year-old Farnhill has always lived in Sabden and left his job as a welder to have a full-time career in boxing and has now qualified as a personal trainer. “I was always a sporty child who loved being outdoors and staying active. I started boxing in my mid-teens at Sandygate Boxing Club where I won forty of over fifty amateur fights including twenty by stoppage. I won northwest titles five times and was a national champion in 2016. I joined the paid ranks during Covid, and I remain unbeaten in eleven bouts four of which ended by early stoppage and including three ten rounders. Prior to winning the English title I’d held the central area title.”
Andy Howcroft and Shane Armer have coached Reece at Sandygate for ten years as both an amateur and professional. “We saw the potential immediately,” stated Howcroft, “and were only too happy to travel all over the country and abroad for him to pick up titles that led to him becoming the amateur northern area elite champion. Reece is suited to the longer professional bouts as he’s got phenomenal endurance. He’s a quiet lad and pleasure to train and now himself a registered England Boxing coach. He puts his free time back into the gym teaching the kids and being a top-class role model. For this recent fight we trained Reece twice daily six days a week and we’re especially thankful to Alex at Bolton’s Elite Gym for the help provided.”
In his spare time Farnhill loves “riding mountain bikes and doing a lot of running. I’ve completed three Ironman triathlons and done a couple of ultra marathon events. I admire boxer Carl Froch who won over thirty professional bouts over twelve years. I love fighters like Carl who grit their teeth when the going gets tough and enjoy a good scrap. I also love watching Terence Crawford for his technical skills and boxing IQ.”
Like all elite athletes Farnhill continues to rely on sponsorship as he contemplates the next stage of his career including boxing for titles covering all four UK nations. “Even where I am now it’s hard to make a living from boxing and you need good sponsors on board to be able to give it your full commitment. I’m grateful to CJ’s Sandwich Shop, Ics live, Ace Club Vintage Clothing and Workwear Warehouse.”
Potential new sponsors or anyone interested in training alongside Farnhill at Sandygate ABC should contact the club on 07866 073353 or Andy Howcroft directly on Facebook.