Ryan Charles: ‘I’d been stabbed and I was just angry’

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Ryan Charles

Albert St. Clair

Ryan Charles tells George Storr about he started boxing, his comic book collection and more

When and why you started boxing:
I started boxing in 2006 at Islington Boxing Club, because at the time I’d been getting into trouble on the streets. I’d been stabbed and I was just angry.

Favourite all-time fighter:
I’ll say Lennox Lewis, but Muhammad Ali is my hero as well. When he died, I went out to Louisville to try to go to his funeral.

Best fight you’ve seen:
Riddick Bowe-Evander Holyfield II. I love that fight.

Personal career highlight:
Boxing at the 2014 Commonwealth Games for Saint Lucia. That was a big thing for me because it was in Glasgow and everyone was messaging me and tuning in on TV.

Toughest opponent:
In the pros, it’d be Phil Williams. I’ve boxed him twice [w pts 4 – 2018 x2]. He’s a tough guy. In the amateurs, it’d be Michael Hunter or Yamil Peralta – both Olympians.

Best and worst attributes as a boxer:
My best attribute is definitely my jab. My worst is probably being a slow starter sometimes.

Training tip:
Always give it your best and always look for new ways to improve.

Favourite meal/restaurant:
Caribbean oxtail, rice, peas and coleslaw. That meal is my favourite, but I shouldn’t eat it too often because I want to be a cruiserweight!

Best friends in boxing:
Carl Guichard. He’s a trainer and cornerman. I’ve worked with him since the amateur days.

Other sportsman you would like to be:
An NBA or NFL player.

Last film/TV show you saw:
Hip-Hop Evolution on Netflix. I watched three seasons in only a couple of days.

Who would play you in a film of your life:
That’s easy, Denzel Washington.

Have you ever been starstruck:
Twice. I was in Miami when I was younger and I saw Hulk Hogan walking along the strip. More recently, Andre Ward came down to Miguel’s Boxing Gym.

Last time you cried:
In 2018 when my grandma passed away from cancer.

Best advice received:
Just to always try your best.

Worst rumour about yourself:
An ex-girlfriend told one of my family members that I was stalking her, even though I hadn’t spoken to her in a year. It was a complete lie.

Something not many people know about you:
I’m a big Marvel fan. I’ve got close to 100 comics and I’m aiming to build up my collection to over 1,000.

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