2023 ABA Champion and Tri Nations silver medallist Kurt Wiggins turns professional and will compete at Bantamweight.
The Liverpool boxer will make his debut on the undercard of Connor Butler vs Jay Harris on February 24th in Liverpool.
Wiggins spoke ahead of his debut: “It makes sense (to turn professional now)… I think I’ve earned the right to turn professional and test myself as a professional.
“Winning an ABA title was a trip to the moon for me… right after I had a bit of a grey area, I was like ‘what’s next?’
“I’ve spent the last eight months deciding my next route and the professional journey starts now.”
Amateur accolades
Wiggins won silver medals at the ABAs, MTK and Harringay Box Cups before eventually winning his ABA title last year.
“I just had to add that 1% to my game… I went away, had a look at what I can do better instead of blaming things like the judges or the ref, I looked at myself.”
The scouser who also represented England at international level will be trained by Paul Edwards at the famous Salisbury ABC where he spent most of his amateur career.
“I remember my first day at The Solly… I came in and looked to my right there was a trophy cabinet… looked to my left and I could see GB stars Sam Maxwell and Blayne Hyland.
“The minute I saw that I really knuckled down and aimed for that and aimed for where they were.”
Honouring his father
Wiggins sadly lost his father back in 2020 and has dedicated his life to the sport since his passing to honour his dad who always believed in him.
Since his passing the scouser has gone from a struggling lightweight to an elite bantamweight winning medals in multiple tournaments.
“I’ve been boxing 10 years but it’s only the last three years I’ve knuckled down, boxing for me was a way of bonding with my dad,
“He passed away in 2020 and he always told me growing up what was possible for me as a boxer if I dedicated myself and let go of distractions like sacrificing nights out and stuff,
“I only really started living by it after he passed away, living by his advice is my way of staying close to him and honouring him… hopefully I’ve done that now.”
“All the marbles”
Wiggins is hoping to join Salisbury ABC fighters David Price, Sam Maxwell, Paul Edwards and Derry Matthews in winning both the ABA and British titles.
“I want to get as many marbles as I can and then get out, like a bank job… we’ve got loads of Solly legends who have won a British title and I’d love to put my name on the same list as them.
“When I won the ABAs that was my goal, I never looked past that… I’m not going to look past the British title… but once I get there I’ll be looking at what’s next.”
Wiggins believes he is not too far away from fighting for the British title after sparring some of Liverpool’s best talents.
“I’d like to fight for the British title in the next two years, I think that’s possible for me.
“I’ve sparred Connor Butler in preparation for his Commonwealth title and for his European title,
“I’ve sparred Marcel Braithwaite in preparation for his British title that he won… I’ve sparred everyone.”
Fans can watch Wiggins highly anticipated debut on February 24th live on Fight Zone.
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