The MaxiNutrition Knockout: MEET THE BOXER – TONY HILL

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

Hometown: Southampton

Professional record: 12 wins (6 knockouts), 3 defeats and 0 draws

Nickname: I don’t have a nickname, just keep it plain and simple.

Titles: Commonwealth title challenger

Career highlight: So far I don’t really have one, I would say taking part in this tournament and the prospect of fighting for a British title is the highlight.

Aspirations: To win as many titles and fight in as many big fights as I can.

I feel I can go all the way in this sport and I would be grateful to fight for any title, but to win a British title would be the main aim and it would be a dream to take that belt in this tournament. It’s the nicest looking belt and to own that would be something else.

My ambition goes as far as winning a world title, but at the moment it’s to win a British title.

Preparations: I’m feeling good, excited and ready for Reading on the 15th. I’m in the gym training harder than before for this competition.

The MaxiNutrition Knockout: It means a lot to be a part of it, obviously it’s on terrestrial TV and there are good titles at stake.

Area titles, the English title and the British title so it should definitely be interesting.

Every fight is an incentive, but to be on TV fighting for titles in a tournament is a big incentive.

Who Tony considers his biggest threat in the competition: I just want to take each fight as it comes. I think any of the fighters on their day can be a rival. So we’ll get the first fight out of the way and then we’ll see who’s next.

What the fans can expect: The fight at Reading on the 15th is going to be an explosive performance and I’ll be at my best. They can expect me to go in there and use my brain and just box to make sure I do what I can to get the win.

Life outside of boxing: I like to go out for meals, be with my friends, my girlfriend, I have three daughters, a seven-year-old and five-year-old twins, I’m not with their mother anymore but I like to spend as much time with them as I can.

When I don’t have a fight coming up I work as a bricklayer which I’ve done since I left school at 17. When I do have a fight coming up training gets tougher, so I have to take time off of work and just concentrate on the boxing. It is difficult with both but in a weird way it kind of helps as well because it keeps me fit even if I’m not in the gym.

Favourite films: My favourite film is Shawshank Redemption. I like films that make you think, true stories and things that can happen in life, rather than imaginary ones. I really liked Crash as well that’s a wicked film.

The only sci-fi film I do like is Terminator 2, that’s probably my all time favourite, just because I remember watching it as a kid and it holds good memories from then, but I wouldn’t be interested in that kind of film now, that’s really the only sci-fi film I watch.

Favourite music: I like just good music in general really, I haven’t got a certain genre that I like. I like old songs from the 80s, 90s, random ones, popular ones.