HUEY Malone launches his professional boxing career next month – and he’s aiming for the top of the world, writes Matt Bozeat.
Malone has ditched his vest after winning back-to-back National Amateur Championships with some of the sport’s biggest names to steer his professional career.
Matthew Macklin, the former world-title challenger and Sky Sports commentator, is managing Malone and has hooked him up with top trainer Joe Gallagher and promoter Frank Warren.
Warren hands the 22 year old from Coventry his debut in Nottingham on Saturday, May 10.
Malone said: “I’m aiming for world titles.
“You have to believe in yourself and I have the right people behind you.
“My manager, coach and promoter have all been there and done it before.
“It gives me confidence to know they are backing me.”
Malone’s amateur CV includes 61 wins from 69 bouts while he also claimed four national titles and won seven of eight bouts representing England.
Malone enjoyed amateur success with a style not often associated with amateur fighters.
Malone added: “I like to stay on the inside, not jump in and out.
“You don’t see amateurs throwing that many body shots and that’s one of my strengths.
“The aim was always to turn professional and I would have done it sooner, but dad (Brendan) wanted me to get more amateur experience.
“I love the pro style of fighting.”
And Malone says he had a ‘pinch me’ moment when legend Roberto Duran turned up at Gallagher’s gym in Manchester a few weeks ago.
He said: “If you want to learn about inside fighting, he’s the man to learn from.
“My favourite all time fighters are Roberto Duran and Julio Cesar Chavez and it was a real ‘pinch me’ moment when one of them walked in the gym.”
Malone has been at the Champ’s Camp gym in Manchester since last October.
Malone added: “We have been working on slowing down.
“Joe wants me throwing ones and twos instead of sevens and eights.”
