Basingstoke boxer Bryce Goodridge has had to be extremely patient when waiting for his next fight date with many boxers all over the world enduring a huge pause in their careers with inactivity for some being well over a year.
The 30-year-old light heavyweight is unfortunately no exception to this having last fought in February 2020 where he extended his professional record to 4-0 unanimously outpointing Ryan Hibbert 40-36 at the O2 Academy in Bournemouth. A stellar amateur career that includes winning the senior ABA championships, Bryce Goodridge also won the 2015 Haringey Box Cup gold medal and a Three Nations gold medal for England.
CommunityAd caught up with the undefeated boxer as we talked about his earliest memories in the sport, the frustration of the past 16 months and future aims Bryce has in the sport of boxing…
What are your earliest memories of boxing and when did you realise this was a career you wanted to pursue?
My earliest memories of boxing were around 13/14, just going down the boxing gym with my mates. It started as nothing too serious just something to do and it wasn’t until I went back a couple of years later when I was 17, that I started taking it seriously and competing.
Who were your role models growing up?
I never watched a huge amount of boxing growing up but I did watch Muhammad Ali as I liked the way he boxed and was very entertaining.
To readers who may not have seen you box, how would you describe your style?
I would say I am a counter-puncher, I don’t get hit a lot as I make a lot of opponents miss and I am quick on my feet, so yeah, I would say I am a boxer and mover.
What would you say has been your most memorable moment in your boxing career (amateur and pro) so far?
It would be close in the amateurs with winning the senior ABA championships and winning a Three Nations gold medal representing England, they are both up there. My pro debut would be the one for the professional ranks as it’s a new start and a lot of my family and friends were there supporting me.
You had a brilliant amateur career where you shared the ring with some huge names on the domestic scene. Who would you say has been your toughest opponent so far in your career?
I think my toughest opponent would have to be Joshua Buatsi, we met in the semi-finals of the championships and from memory, it was a high paced fight and he got the win.
How difficult have the past 16 months been trying to motivate yourself to keep training during the pandemic?
Yeah, it’s not been the best time but I just have to keep training, that’s all you can do really. I just have to look at it like it’s the same for most people out there so it’s out of my hands.
Have you been given a date for when you will be able to return back to the ring?
I still do not have a date yet so just playing the waiting game, with restrictions hopefully due to lift soon it shouldn’t be too long now.*
Do you have a 5-10-year goal of what you want to achieve in the sport?
I don’t have a specific goal but I just want to win a decent pro title, so will be happy if I can win the British title of which I know I’m more than capable of doing.
Away from boxing, what are your hobbies and interests?
Out of boxing, just the normal things really like watching football, going on holiday when I can and watching a lot of movies, there’s not much I haven’t seen!
Keep up to date with Bryce Goodridge’s boxing return by following the champ on Twitter @BryceGoodridge and Instagram @bryce_goodridge.