Boxing: Ashley Lane charts 13-year journey to British bantamweight champion

Ashley Lane has fought for 13 years to become British champion

Warning: This article contains an account of depression and suicide.

Northampton's Ashley Lane says "boxing kept him going" as he fulfilled a lifelong dream of becoming British champion last Friday.

The 33-year-old stopped Chris Bourke to win the bantamweight title at York Hall in London.

Lane set himself that goal as a teenager but said he has been on a "massive journey of self-discovery and resilience", having suffered with depression and homelessness.

Speaking to BBC Radio Northampton Sport he said: "I did leave home at 18. I've had to sleep in my car.

"I used to train, I'd leave the gym, go and get some food and I'd head back and sneak back into the gym to sleep on the sofa."

He explained that boxing and those close to him, like former amateur coach John Daly, helped him through the darkest moments.

• Listen: Full interview with Lane on BBC Radio Northampton Sport

"The little bit of money I had was to go spar," said Lane whose car broke down on the motorway on the way to Bristol. He remembers having suicidal thoughts at the roadside.

"The angels were looking after me that day," he said. "I had some beautiful people take me under their wing."

Lane (L) was the underdog against Chris Bourke at York Hall last Friday

With 10 losses on his record, Lane was the underdog against Londoner Bourke, who had only been beaten once before in his professional career.

Bourke was winning the contest before an explosion of aggression from Lane in the sixth round turned the tables.

There were wild celebrations from Lane and his team. It has taken him 30 fights and just shy of 13 years to reach his "ultimate" goal of becoming British champion.

"It's hard because you go through so many challenges and look back and think if something else had happened, a different decision, but right now I don't think I would change anything because it's made me the person I am," he said.

"I'm so proud to be able to turn around and say I'm from Northampton and I'm [the town's] first [male] British champion."

"I want to bring back more titles to Northampton and become the most accomplished boxer from the town. That's my dream goal now."

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