Firsts and Lasts with Hot Stuff by Kevin Taylor Apr 15th 2008

Gary 'Hot Stuff' Woolcombe will defend his British light-middleweight title for the first time this weekend when he takes on the man formerly known as the 'Spice Boy', Ryan Rhodes at the legendary York Hall in Bethnal Green. BBN caught up with Gary recently to look at his firsts and lasts in the ring. First fight in the ring, opponent, result and memories? "My first fight was against Richard Moon at the age of ten. It was in Dover. "I won my first and third ights and then went on to lose my next twelve!" First Trainer? "My first trainer is still my trainer now, Alan Smith. We have been together nearly sixteen years, he's like a father to me." Last fight as an amateur? "My last fights as an amateur were against Nathan Weise, another Maloney pro now and Samuel Gregory in the same night for the ABA's. I won both fights, but took a big shot off of Gregory in the last round, I got a big black eye so had to pull out of the next fight." Gary turned pro under the guidance of Eugene Maloney in 2003. First fight as a pro and purse? "My first fight as a pro was against Paul McIlwaine on Sky Sports and he dropped me in the first round, I kayoed him in the 2nd. I learnt more from that fight than any other fight, he was a dirty sod. Headbutted me, elbowed and hit after the break. My first purse was £800 and I had to give 10% to Alan and 10% to Eugene." "My first title was when I beat Delroy Mellis in a hard fight for the British Masters title." First thing you do when you get to the Arena? "I don't bother doing anything really, just sort out my shorts and equipment and make sure they have got my music." (A Gary Woolcombe fight wouldn't be complete without the music and the dancing girls!) Last thing you do before entering the ring? "Last thing I do in the ring is I say to myself, here we are again and just go for it." Last boxing show you attended? "Oakey vs. Haymer at the York Hall, Oakey looked brilliant that fight."

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