RUGGED Warwick warrior Mikey Byles was a little fraught and frayed when I caught up with him.
Now studying for a masters degree in coaching and leadership, the middleweight was feeling the strain of academia.
“I’d rather be punched in the face than this academic stuff,” he growled. “Six thousand words I’ve written.”
At 38, Mikey, whose 21 contests are studded with blood-and-guts battles – many against unbeaten prospects, has decided to get punched in the face again.
After close to a year-and-a-half away, the crowd-pleaser returned last month with a six round points loss to prospect Mark Davies in Bristol. That brought the Welshman’s record to 10-0.
“He’s a good lad,” Mikey shrugged. “Had about 90 fights and won 80. It was one of the best performances I had. I was nice and tidy, came out unscathed where as before I came out with black eyes, bruises…I’ve had some scraps.”
On Saturday, Mikey will be at Rollerworld, Derby, with Dylan Fitzgerald (10-0) in the opposite corner.
He has returned with a very different approach and pledges there’ll be more science, fewer slugfests.
“I’m coming in as a bit of a gatekeeper,” Mikey admitted. “I’m no spring chicken. I’m coming to give these lads the pro experience of the trenches and toughness and maybe pick up some wins on the way.”
He certainly got the tools to test the division’s Young Guns. Byles has faced very good men such as Joe Pigford, Kyran Jones, Liam O’Hare, Ollie Cooper and Cello Renda.
“I’ve got another year in me – 40 and I’m waving the white flag,” he said. “I’ve left it in God’s hands. The plan was to come back and give it another year, go on the road and be that gatekeeper.
“It’s a different mindset and that’s difficult for me because I always wanted titles.”
Dylan Fitzgerald will start a heavy favourite on Saturday night, but shouldn’t take anything for granted against Byles.
The “new” Mikey talks of a more measured approach, but when he hears the roars and feels the punches it’s going to be very difficult to keep the old Mikey at bay.
