The MaxiNutrition Knockout: MEET THE BOXER – LEON SENIOR

Starting on March 15 at Rivermead, Reading, Leon takes on Tony Hill with theSouthern Area light heavyweight title on the line in the first set of quarter finals.

Hometown: Swanley

Professional record: 10 wins, 2 defeats and 0 draws

Nickname: I don’t have one, I never really came up with one, some people have thrown a few names at me over the years, but nothing really stood out so I never bothered.

Titles: Southern Area title.

Career highlight: Winning the Southern Area title and defending it against Dan Woodgate – both of them fights mean a lot to me.

Aspirations: To try and win a British title – after coming back from four years out, if I could win a British title I would be content with that and absolutely over the moon, anything else would just be a bonus.

I had the break because I felt I wasn’t getting the right opportunities so I concentrated on working and my family. I went to a different gym just to lose a bit of weight and get back into training and it’s just gone from there really. My main goal now is to try and get my hands on that British title.

Preparations: I’m feeling really good, very excited about the whole thing. I just get my head down and focus on the fight, I’ve got my date now, I know what’s going on, all the competition is set up so I’m raring to go and as I always do – putting in 100 percent.

The MaxiNutrition Knockout: This competition is giving all the boxers, not just myself, every opportunity to impress and show the general public what we are able to do.

We can all mix it at a decent standard so there is no one in this game without a decent shout and I think it should be good and it should be exciting.

It means everything to me. I can get my name out there, impress a few people and show what I’m really capable of doing in this boxing game.

This is what it’s all about – it’s about winning titles and fighting at this level does mean that.

I’m just over the moon that I’ve got this chance, so I can really get out there and do the business and show people how good I actually am.

Who Leon considers his biggest threat in the competition: I don’t think there is anyone in particular – I’d say everyone has a fair chance, but it’s all on the night as well.

If you get through the first fight you’ll be building on confidence and all these things come into play when you’re boxing.

What the fans can expect: They can expect me to leave no stone unturned and to really give it my all on the night. It’s a big opportunity for me and I don’t want to leave the ring with regrets, so they can expect me to really give it my all and walk away knowing I have done everything I could, so they can expect a good, willing performance.

Life outside of boxing: 

I work full time as a paint and decorator, but I always try and give myself a few weeks off to train when I have a fight coming up.

I love to spend time with my family, I have three daughters, my oldest is in Ireland, she’s 13 and then with my wife who I live with my oldest is seven and the youngest three.

I like to watch athletics and sports on the TV in general. My friends are into their horse racing so I’ve often been on days out with them guys and they’ve tried to get me into golf but I’m not very good at that.

Out of all the sports I watch I really like my snooker, I try and watch that, I’m not saying I’m a great player but I do enjoy a game whenever I get a chance. Ronnie Sullivan is my favourite player, he’s taken over, but I was a number one fan of Jimmy White.

Favourite films: Shawshank Redemption was a really good film. I know it is quite a contrast but I’d say I prefer my comedy films and drama films – I really like Ben Stiller’s films.

Favourite music: I like R&B and Indie Rock, but I’ll listen to anything that has a good beat to it.