Rhodes ready and raring to go when boxing gets back going

Scarborough boxer George Rhodes Jr is stepping up his return to training as he eyes a return to the ring early in 2021.
Scarborough boxer George Rhodes JrScarborough boxer George Rhodes Jr
Scarborough boxer George Rhodes Jr

Rhodes Jr was due to fight in March when the coronavirus pandemic called a halt to small hall shows.

The super welterweight made his long-awaited return to the ring with a win over Dale Arrowsmith in February and is now looking forward to getting back into the ring as soon as possible.

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“I have started to train again this week after suffering from a calf strain so hopefully I can get back up to speed very quickly,” said Rhodes Jr.

“I was flying during the first lockdown, I was training hard and getting out on the runs and then I was ticking over until this injury setback.

“I’m back in the gym now though and feeling good so I’ll be looking to up my fitness levels.”

Rhodes Jr insists he has used the lockdown and subsequent lack of opportunities in the ring to work on a few things.

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“I’ve used the time to tweak things a bit and work on one or two bits I think will benefit me when I can fight again,” added Rhodes Jr.

“Once gyms are allowed back open I am hoping to take myself out of my comfort zone at Westway and get out and about to some new environments to work on a few things and pick up some new pointers.

“I’ve been in regular contact with my promoter Dave Coldwell, who has been great and has offered sound advice whenever I’ve asked for it.

“He obviously has good contacts too so you never know when an offer to fight on a Matchroom show might come about, so I need to be ready.”

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Rhodes Jr was also heavily critical of the lack of funding allocated to boxing in the Government’s ‘Sport Winter Survival Package’.

“I find it shocking that all the other sports were allocated funding but boxing, for whatever reason, wasn’t,” he added.

“These clubs are lifelines for their communities and need to be supported so let’s hope there’s some funding to come in soon for them as they will need it.”