Finnegan puts car crash behind him by Daniel Mole Mar 19th 2008

Jonjo Finnegan is set to step back in the ring in May, six months after a near-fatal car crash that doctors feared would put pay to his professional boxing career. The 27-year-old was involved in a head on smash back in November whilst returning from a work-out at 1st Team Promotions' gym in Wednesbury. The light-heavyweight's car was written off and Police stated afterwards that Finnegan's seat belt saved his life. The likeable fighter didn't escape lightly though, suffering a number of injuries including cracked ribs, a damaged foot and a head wound that required 14 stitches. At the time, it was feared that he would require pins in the broken wrist he also sustained. Thankfully though, that wasn't the case but he still required lengthy surgery to fix damaged tendons and to fuse the bone in his right-hand wrist. After the operation, Finnegan was told he might never box again. Rather than contemplate life without boxing, those words helped inspire him to make a full recovery. “When I was first told that I might never box again I thought ‘I'll prove them wrong',” he said. “To be fair, the doctors and surgeon were great and when I told them I make my living as a boxer, they said they wouldn't insert pins as they thought that may cause me more trouble. “It was a pretty bad smash but I'm a positive person and I knew that I would bounce back from my injuries. I'm running fine now and my fitness is getting better all the time. I'm up to about four or five miles a day and I'm also shadow boxing and skipping. “The next step is to get the gloves back and do some pad work and sparring. If all goes to plan, I'll be back doing that in the next couple of weeks.” The Burton banger has been pencilled in to appear in his hometown on Friday, 16th May – the first step on a road which he hopes will end in glory. Finnegan's time out of the ring has given him the chance to reflect on his boxing career and made him more determined than ever to go on to bigger and better things. “I'm really looking forward to getting back in the ring,” he added. “If all goes to plan and I'm able to box, there will be no greater comeback than to fight in my hometown. “I have been overwhelmed by the well-wishes I have received from my fans and people in the sport. My trainer, Errol Johnson, has been superb, as has PJ Rowson from 1st Team Promotions who is always on the phone to me checking on my progress. “The guys in the gym have also been great. They have helped keep me positive. “My injuries have made me realise how much boxing means to me. When I was told I might not box again, it opened my eyes to how much I want to succeed in this sport. “I'm twice as hungry as I was before and I want to fulfil my potential and go as far as I possibly can.”

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good news Mar 25th 2008, 06:01:38 by blackie1956 glad to see you are on the mend, will try and see you on your return to the ring(work permitting) well done kid from Jock