10 May Multimedia News Package
It is September 2008, and Officer Michael Elliott is stationed in the southern region of Afghanistan, in the midst of a Civil War. Little did he know that alongside him, is a man who would be there to kick-start the second phase of his life.
“Boxing always seemed like an obvious route for me – leaving the military, I needed that injection of discipline, and boxing brings that like nothing else”
Fast-forward to the here-and-now, and Michael is 2-0 as a professional boxer. His eagerly awaited debut last March, came at the infamous York Hall in Bethnal Green. When scouting potential opponents for the night, Michael’s management team put forward a man he knew all too well – Lewis van Poetsch.
On the circuit, Lewis is known as a ‘have gloves will travel’ sort of fighter. Tough, reliable and always ready to welcome the prospects to the professional ranks. But to Michael, he was a brother.
The two had served together in Afghanistan, and were now squaring up in front of thousands of spectators in the East end of London.
A convincing points victory for Michael meant he could move on to bigger things. Now at 2-0, he’s dropped weight twice and is slowly getting to grips with boxing as a full-time job.
Michael did have experience in boxing from the military, where he won several in-house trophies.
“In the army, I fought some of the toughest guys in the country. Sure it wasn’t as skillful, but it helped me realise that I was capable of taking punishment, which is something you can’t teach”
Before turning over, Michael also fought in the ABA’s, England’s most prestigious amateur competition.
Above: Michael’s fight with Casey Blair, at York Hall, Bethnal Green. Images via Unknown Boxers.
Michael dons the military colours on fight night, with the word ‘Rifleman’ stitched into the back of his shorts. He says this is because during his time in the military, he always knew the Rifleman regiment had his back.
Training out of Peacock Gym in East London’s Canning Town, Michael and his trainer Brian O’Shaughnessy have set their sights on one of boxing’s most prestigious belts.
“I’m a realist, I don’t have the amateur pedigree of some of these guys. For me, the British title is the end goal. To be able to bring that belt home to my boy would mean everything and more”
During our time together, Michael didn’t speak much of his life outside of boxing, stating that he liked to keep the two separate.
One thing he did draw on, was his time fighting on the front-line for his country.
“That is history now, and whilst I’ll never forget my journey, I have a new life”
His management stable MTK Global, are one of the most well-respected in the sport. Their growth as a company have seen them promote shows in the likes of Dubai, Kazakhstan and up and down the UK.
If he is to knuckle down, Michael Elliott knows he has the platform to become a big name in British boxing.
Oscar Bevis
