Olly Ashton is a chip off the old boxing block

Father John challenged for British, Commonwealth and European honours and two decades on, son Olly is following in his footsteps with the 20 year-old boxing on the EBF-sanctioned show in Derby on Saturday, 25th July.

The show at Rollerworld is promoted by dad John who wasn’t too enthused when Olly told him he wanted to be on the show.

Olly said: “Dad has always thought I had some talent, but he wasn’t keen on me boxing.

“My earliest memories are of throwing punches in the back garden with dad. I learned the basics at a very early age.”

Olly has boxed competitively before. As a 13-year-old he boxed for South Normanton School of Boxing and won the bout-of-the-night award after winning his debut, but ditched the gloves to concentrate on football.

He had trials at Nottingham Forest and currently plays in midfield for Blidworth Welfare in the Black Dragon South Division.

Ashton says mum Susan is ‘petrified’ about his forthcoming fight.

He said: “Mum thought it was a joke when we told her I was boxing and now she knows it’s not, she seems petrified!

“I know when I’m in the ring mum will be throwing punches for me as well.”

Olly, currently studying for a sports coaching degree at West Notts College, is undecided where next month’s fight will lead.

He said: “Last summer I went to Magaluf and worked as a rep and this summer, I fancied doing something different. So I thought I would box.

“I’m just going to see how this fight goes and take it from there. If it goes well and I start winning, I could end up turning professional, but we will see how it turns out.”

Ashton describes his boxing as ‘awkward and unorthodox’ and added: “I’m quite fancy on my feet and I like to drop my hands. I’m not a textbook boxer like dad was.”

Tickets for the show at Rollerworld are available from 07850 317404.