Frimley boxer Sam Horsfall last fought in January 2020 beating Richard Harrison over points in a four-round bout and extending his record to 4-2.
The 28-year-old light heavyweight professional’s career has, like many other fellow pros in boxing and sport in general, unfortunately, been stalled due to the COVID-19 pandemic but with restrictions set to be eased over the next few months, CommunityAd got in touch with Frimley boxer Sam to find out more about his career including favourite boxers, future plans and how a certain Tommy Fury would bring an extra bit of motivation to the Frimley fighter…
What first attracted you to boxing and what are your earliest memories of taking part in the sport?
Me and my close friends from school would put on a set of boxing gloves, make a ‘ring’ out of our own cars parked in a circle, set a timer of 2 minutes and then go for it. I finally picked up the courage and joined Matt at Frimley Boxing Club and fell in love with it straight away, having agreed my first boxing bout within 3 weeks of training!
Who were your boxing role models growing up and who are your favourite boxers today?
I never really watched much boxing growing up and only started to really get involved watching once I started myself!
Now looking at boxers, I think Canelo is a machine and is in a different league compared to most!
How much of a negative effect has COVID-19 had on your boxing career and how have you been able to motivate yourself to stay in shape and keep training during these unprecedented times?
Luckily for me, I love training, it is the best thing for not only your health but your mental health and being a professional we haven’t actually had to stop much. Obviously, gyms haven’t been open, but I’ve been keeping myself more than busy running and most recently been able to do pad work and circuits outside with my coach Matt Gorton.
I’m very much looking forward to getting into Matt’s new gym ‘The Hitbox’ which is completely brand-new and a long time in the making.
The only trouble for myself and for most young professional boxers is the fact that small hall shows have completely been stopped, for obvious reasons that there are no crowds, not allowing us to box at all while all this is happening.
To those who may not have seen you box, how would you describe your style?
I’m sure the people who have watched me box would agree, I give it my all and leave it all in the ring. It’s kill or be killed.
You are currently 4-2 as a professional, is it fair to say the next fight for you will be the most important in your career to try and push on domestically and leave your losses in the past?
Of course, now at this stage of my career, I don’t want to go down the route of fighting 100 journeymen trying to build a record. I’m more than happy to jump into the deep end like I have already. If I had a call tomorrow for a brilliant opportunity at the right price I would be there without question.
Domestically and on the global scene, the light heavyweight division is red hot, who would you say is the best 175Ib fighter in the world and the best from the UK?
In the UK scene, I would have to say Joshua Buatsi is probably the most technically gifted light heavyweight boxer and, in the world, Badou Jack is up there with the best. Unfortunately, there aren’t many outstanding light heavyweights compared to other weights classes but I think someone like Joshua Buatsi, providing he can take a punch and get past the likes of Dmitry Bivol, can make the division his for the taking.
With the recent announcement of restrictions getting eased over the next few months, when do you think you will next be able to get back in the ring?
Currently, I’m not bothered about boxing any time soon, I am enjoying my training without any pressure or stresses. For me to get back into the ring I would need some motivation. A fight with the likes of Tommy Fury would spur me on to get back in. I’m a great believer in giving it 110% or 0%, nothing in between.
Do you have a vision of where you would like to be in your boxing career in the next 5 years?
Unfortunately, I don’t have a vision of where I would like to be, for now enjoying my training.
Away from boxing, what are your hobbies and interests and what do you enjoy most about living in Frimley?
I have just started a property business with my partner, investing in properties. This will take up a lot of my time and will be a great stepping stone into my future, we are working closely with investors, giving them great returns, which is an amazing feeling working with local people and seeing what a difference I can make.
Keep up to date with Frimley boxer Sam via his Instagram page @sam_horsfall or The Hitbox page @hitbox_81 to find out when his next fight is, and if he’ll come up against Fury himself.