Boxer unbeaten 10 years after life-changing punch-up

Rob Ottley (left) coaches Paul Gordon (right) who trains at Ipswich Boxing Centre

An unbeaten professional boxer who wanted to protect himself after a fight 10 years ago is now preparing for a seventh consecutive win.

Paul Gordon, from Harwich, Essex, was 18 when he said someone "started on" him and his friends on a night out.

After coming away unscathed he decided to take up boxing as a way to defend himself.

Earlier this year, he won the British Boxing Board of Control's Southern Area middleweight title and is preparing for another bout next month by training at Ipswich Boxing Centre.

Gordon, nicknamed "muffin top" at school thanks to his afro, said he had no ambitions for life when he was targeted on the night out.

"I was way too drunk to look after myself properly but I was OK, I got away unscathed but a couple of my mates didn't," he told the BBC.

"I just thought I didn't want that to happen again."

He decided to "stick at" boxing and found he had good skill and technique.

His professional record is six wins and no defeats.

Gordon is in a training camp ahead of his next fight on 29 June

Rob Ottley, who trains him at Ipswich Boxing Centre, said the athlete puts "110%" effort into the sport.

"Everything you ask him to do, he does, and that is exactly what you want from a boxer, " Ottley explained.

"You want them to want it more than you do as a coach and you've got that with Paul.

"He can take a punch and he doesn't really get phased."

Ottley has strong roots in the sport with his niece being the successful Olympian and world champion Nicola Adams.

'Paying the bills'

While boxing is a key part of his life, Gordon juggles training with his job as a welder.

Gordon's last fight against Constantine Williams on 23 March saw him come away with a southern area championship title.

"That was a 10-rounder - a very difficult fight against a strong lad, but boxing skills pay the bills and I managed to get the win," he explained.

"He tried to get me but couldn't quite get the job done."

Gordon juggles his boxing around his full-time welder job

The boxer said he was focused on defending this title and was in a training camp ahead of fighting Kevin Reavell on 29 June at the Brentwood Centre in Essex.

"I want to make a statement on this next fight and defend my belt," Gordon said.