Winning web hit for Charlie: King’s Lynn boxer Garrod uses YouTube to help him win pro debut
Charlie Garrod(black white strip shorts) v Mitch Mitchell. Picture: .Jerry Daws Stillfocused.co.uk - Credit: ©stillfocused.co.uk Jerry Daws
Boxer Charlie Garrod has revealed some YouTube homework helped him record an impressive victory on his professional debut.
The King's Lynn ace put months of hard work and preparation to good use by beating Lincoln's Mitch Mitchell 40-36 in Norwich on Saturday night.
But not all of that endeavour took place in the gym with the 22-year-old admitting he used the internet to help him gain an advantage over his experienced opponent.
The light heavyweight said: 'I was confident but I knew he'd had quite a lot of fights so that had been in the back of my mind.
'I knew I wanted to box him though. I saw a few of his fights on YouTube and I knew I wanted to keep him away from him. I didn't want to get drawn into a scrap with him. I just kept him at arm's length, kept hitting him with my jab, stayed nice and sharp and it paid off.
'It was a great experience, I enjoyed it, and it was a great feeling when my arm was raised at the end. All that work in the gym, the dieting, the training, it all paid off in that moment.'
About 60 to 70 supporters made the trip up the A47 from West Norfolk to cheer on the debutant during his pro bow. And Garrod believes their support on the night spurred him on to a four-point triumph.
'It was awesome how many people turned up,' said the competitor who trains at gyms in Lynn (Heros) and Norwich (Kickstop).
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'They were quite quiet in the first round but once they got behind me I just got buzzing. When I was in there, and I heard them cheering when I punched him, it just made me push harder and harder. I wanted to get stuck in even more. I'm so pleased I won for them.'
Norwich trainer Graham Everett hailed the promising rookie's 'great performance' and tipped the 'silky boxer' – who is back training already and hoping to land another bout soon – for a bright future.
Related links
Photo gallery: King's Lynn boxer Charlie Garrod impresses on his professional debut
