Harrison chasing sponsor

Wolverhampton's Dean Harrison is appealing for a major sponsor so he can spend more time in his bid to become British champion.

The 24-year-old light welter is set to fight again against six-time Ukrainian world title challenger Rakhim Mingaleev at the city's Civic Hall on October 25.

But he has to shoehorn all his training in between gruelling 10-hour shifts as a bricklayer for his employers, J and G Builders.

Harrison has won all eight of his paid fights since turning professional 11 months ago, but he is convinced he could be even better if he could afford to train full-time.

"Sometimes when I see some of these so-called prospects getting paid just to train it annoys me," he said.

"If I had a sponsor who would pay for me to train twice or three times a day and cover my bills, I'd be in for a British title.

"For example, when I sparred with Matthew Hatton, I worked in the gym all day and came back at night and worked on the pads.

"Boxing is the most important thing in my life - I go to work and all I'm thinking about is boxing.

"I get up at 4.30am to take one of my drinks before going for a run at 5am, I go to bed at 9pm knowing I've got to get up again in the morning.

"To train for this fight, I've been running seven miles every morning before breakfast, then I go to work, come back, and go to the gym.

"It's hard work, but I hope it pays off eventually. I must have the best gaffers going at J and G Builders. They pay for my shorts whenever I need them and I always have Tuesdays off because I go for extra training with Bob Plant.

"They're right behind me - they've told me I've probably got one shot at this and I couldn't ask for more than that.

"I've got a good sponsor as well in Bushbury Glass, who paid for me to spar in New York and said whenever I want to go again they will pay, and they paid for my windows to be done.

"I really want to repay their faith. But my main aim now is to find someone to help me out in 18 months' time so I can train three times a day."

Harrison's focus is now entirely channelled into boxing - a far cry from a few years ago.

After spending time at the acclaimed Durham boxing academy, he developed an active social life, which led to the odd confrontation.

But he is totally dedicated to his ring career now, saying: "I keep totally out of trouble now - that was a totally different Dean Harrison.

"I had a lot of personal problems and was stressed out all week and come Thursday and Friday night, I'd go out to get drunk.

"But that Dean is long gone. It's very rare I go out now and when I do, I just have a laugh with my mates."