At a young age Ross “The Boss” Burkinshaw (14-6-2 8 KOs) knew he was going to become a professional boxer.
Some may claim naivety in youth, but the Sheffield fighter has gone on to achieve a glittering résumé that many would be envious of.
“When I started I always said I’d be professional when I was eight-years-old,” said Burkinshaw in a recent interview with Round By Round Boxing.
“There’s a video clip of me on Sky Sports when I was 12 or 13 year old saying I was going to win the win English, British, Commonwealth, European and the world.”
And it’s his triumph over Jason Cunningham to capture the Commonwealth title which he regards as his proudest moment in the sport to date.
Taken at just four days notice, he upset the odds in a 12-round thriller edging it via a razor-close split decision.
“He was unbeaten, he’d never even lost a round in boxing. We had a war and I came out on top,” said Burkinshaw.
“It still makes the hair on back of my neck stand up when I watch it.”
But for all the euphoric moments, Burkinshaw has had to grapple with a plethora of debilitating injuries which saw him fight just twice between 2011 and 2013. And even now, injuries continue to press pause on his dreams.
It’s the world belt which is his only significant omission too, and after a devastating reoccurrence of a dislocated shoulder that deprived him of a shot at a final eliminator bout, his career hangs on a knife-edge.
It’s a major setback for Burkinshaw who was looking to bounce back from a defeat against Klaas Mboyane in May, when he retired in the fourth round with an elbow injury.
He sustained it four weeks into camp preparing for his November bout for the IBO International strap, sparring with European Super Bantamweight champion and good friend, Gavin McDonnell.
Throwing a right hand to the body, his shoulder popped out and it’s now the sixth time it’s happened to The Boss.
“I’ve just been to the physio, I’m getting some movement in it. It’s loosening off, but I can’t loosen it off too much,” said Burkinshaw.
“I’m not able to go the gym to even start training ’til at least February, so I’m disappointed about that.”
“But I’ve got to listen to them this time I can’t rush it so I’m probably looking at back end of summer towards end of year.”
Though it’s his steely determination to get back in the ring, which is a testament to his character, he hopes a 21-year spell in the sport can culminate in reaching the pinnacle.
“Me winning the world title, it’s all I’ve ever aimed for,” said Burkinshaw.
“I’ve been a pro now for nine years, I want to get straight back up there.”
“I’ve been No. 8 in the world I haven’t got time on my side to be building back up I need to go straight back in at the deep end.”
Despite the trials and tribulations that Burkinshaw has endured throughout his career, it’s inspiring to see he remains in good spirits.
“Someone tweeted me the other week, it’s just another test. I said why do I always get tested?” laughed Burkinshaw.
“I constantly come through them, but I’d like to not get tested some time.”
These glowing character traits can be credited to his 10-year stint in the army when he joined at just 16, which Burkinshaw believes has played a pivotal part in his successful fight career.
“Originally I read Nigel Benn’s book Dark Destroyer and he was saying when he was in the army boxing and I thought I can do that, so that was the main reason I joined. The army turned me into the man I am today, made me a proud man. But it also made me determined,” said Burkinshaw.
“It teaches you self discipline and even now with me being injured I’m still determined to get back in the ring even though I have the surgeon saying it may not be possible. I’ve been told that before and I have come back.”
But when the final bell does ring on Burkinshaw’s career, what does the future hold for one of boxing’s nice guys? Many fighters struggle to adjust to life after boxing. The constant adrenaline, elation and rigorous schedule that fuels the profession is cruelly snatched away.
Some look to training, while others look to punditry to feed their addiction. And for a select few, getting back in the ring is simply to great a temptation.
Though Burkinshaw hopes to take a more unconventional route, and you might be surprised to read that you may be seeing a lot more of him even after he hangs up his gloves.
“I wouldn’t mind having a shot on Emmerdale. I think I would be pretty good at acting,” said Burkinshaw.
“I’ve got a broad Yorkshire accent so I think I would be pretty good at that.”
Lets hope we see more of him in the ring before he pens a deal with ITV, eh Ross?
