An fighter who says his passion for sport has kept him on the straight and narrow is looking for help to turn pro.
Alex Andrews, 20, of Sutton St Edmund, competes as an amateur featherweight in the mixed martial arts (MMA) discipline which incorporates kickboxing.
Although he received some sponsorship, former University Academy Long Sutton and Tydd St Mary Primary School student Alex says becoming professional next year is his ‘goal in life’.
The young plasterer said: “Being in the gym every night helps keep you out of trouble. I don’t know what I’d do without it.
“It is a good thing that I go to the gym instead of hanging around in car parks and it gives me a purpose. It is part of my life.”
He started kickboxing at the age of 10 and trains regularly at Avaddon Mixed Martial Arts Academy in Wisbech with his main coach Chris Ellington.
Travelling a lot to train at different gyms with expert coaches takes time and money. He also had to pay out to travel to Albania to compete in the World Championships.
Alex describes his parents, Darren and Naomi Andrews, as ‘really supportive’ and explains how the sport has impacted his life positively with some financial support from family and friends.
Alex said: “My nutrition plan costs and so does staying over before a fight. I get a bit of commission but not a lot and work a couple of days a week at my dad’s plastering business.”
Alex is hoping to meet the criteria needed to get support from Sport England - which would enable him to him to train full-time at the best gyms.
He said: “If I turned pro I would get paid each fight and getting up to the top you get paid more.
“It is my goal in life.
“It is hard to train and have a job as I only have one day’s rest from training at the weekend.”
He also hopes to influence younger athletes to follow their dreams.
He added: “It is a good way to keep them out of trouble.”
He is now preparing for his title fight for Cage Warriors Academy and if you know of anyone who may be able to help with funding get in touch via Alex Andrews on Facebook.
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