Devine determined to get back in the ring again

Luton's Michael Devine is ready to make his long awaited return to the boxing ring later this year after revealing he came close to quitting the sport recently.
Michael Devine with Shamrock trainer Mervyn TurnerMichael Devine with Shamrock trainer Mervyn Turner
Michael Devine with Shamrock trainer Mervyn Turner

The former Southern Area title holder’s last bout came back in September when he lost to Tommy Martin on the Anthony Joshua undercard staged at the 02 Arena.

Devine is yet to fight since though, as speaking frankly about his absence, he said: “It was touch and go for a while, I needed to just sit back and recuperate and hope that I would heal.

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“It was very frustrating not being able to train and the idea of quitting did cross my mind.”

However, Devine has been back in training for the past month at the The Shamrock Gym in Wigmore and is now under the stewardship of Shamrock’s trainer and promoter Mervyn Turner.

The 27-year-old continued: “I have always had boxing skills, my biggest problem was that I would lose focus and start to trade and go all out when I didn’t need to.

“Merv has already taught me so much and my footwork and defence are already massively improved, I’m working new angles all the time.”

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Turner himself pulled no punches in assessing Devine’s progress as he said: “We know Michael can fight, we know he can trade, but that needs to be something that comes second to him.

“First and foremost he needs to concentrate on his boxing skills, getting his defence right and we can take it from there.”

With 18 bouts under his belt, Devine is Luton’s most experienced current boxer and has a cult following wherever he fights.

Pressed on their plans for the future, both agreed that Luton is the preferred starting point as Devine said: “We want to bring boxing back to Luton. This is where I started out and it would be great to give something back to the fans. I have been very lucky to always have a great following and some local fight nights would get the town buzzing again.

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“This is a fighting town, always has been and there is no shortage of local talent out there to put on some great shows, we just a venue to fit us all in.”

Asked exactly when this may happen, Turner who will promote the event, added: “Michael will be back in the ring early June, we’ll announce exactly where in the next few weeks.”