If there was ever any doubt about the progress of Belshaw’s promising career, it would have been best viewed over the festive period when the mammoth youngster spent more of his time wrapping his fists than gifts. The 23-year-old won four out of five learning curve bouts last year, including a character-testing re-match with Daniel Peret, the Russian who nicked a points win over the Sam Wilton-trained Belshaw last summer.

His career was interrupted by injuries sustained in a car accident last year and he questioned his own future in the fight game following the death of a close friend. “Like most people, I am starting with a fresh mind in 2009; moving on from a strange 2008,” said Belshaw. “I have had many people tell me they thought I had quit boxing and even one person said he’d heard I had died. I didn’t die of course; I just went to London for several months for training.

“It’s amazing what people will come up with just because you are away from the scene for a while. I couldn’t be healthier and could not be more focussed on what I want to achieve this year,” he added.

He may have ample time on his side and will be carefully groomed by former Lennox Lewis manager Frank Maloney, but Belshaw admits he is “impatient” and determined to get moving in the months ahead. “I want something tangible; something to target. Frank Maloney has told me to take my time because I am still young for a heavyweight. I know he is giving me the best advice but I am naturally impatient for someone my age and I want to get out there and be a heavyweight contender as soon as possible.”

The level-headed knockout specialist is currently studying to become a Personal Trainer; fighting with a back-up plan should the unforgiving fight game fail to bring him his desired glory, fame and fortune. Right here, right now though, progress is all Belshaw seeks. “I am looking at the British top 10 and there isn’t a fighter in there I would have any fear of,” he added.

“I have sparred with Derek Chisora, John McDermott and Martin Rogan and I know I can handle myself with them. I know there are certain fights that I want but will not get because of my inexperience as a professional. I appreciate that I am being groomed.”

Belshaw’s towering frame, pale skin and Irish blood will make him the dream boy of American boxing writers when he eventually taps their shoulders for attention. Unlike Monaghan’s Kevin McBride, who has since failed to capitalise on his 2005 defeat of Mike Tyson, Belshaw is going places and is promising to go far beyond the dreams of other brave Irish heavyweights like Danny McAlinden, Gordon Ferris and Jack Doyle.

Ironically, in a division the Irish have failed to produce, Belshaw and Martin Rogan, the recent victor of Prizefighter and more notably his December win over Audley Harrison, have come along at once. Naturally, Belshaw is being faced with the question…

“Would I fight Rogan?” is that what you are going to ask next, he queries. “Sure I would. I would love to fight Rogan, a man who I have great respect for and I would love to meet Kevin McBride too. It would be great to challenge McBride in the US. Two giant Irishmen, they would love that over there. “I think Martin Rogan has bigger plans on his radar. We are at different ends of our professional careers and he has had a wonderful year and is justifiably focussing on the European title.”

 

story by Alex McGreevy

Sports editor for the East  Belfast Herald

 sport@ebherald.com