Respected trainer's farewell fight
West Bromwich's Wayne Downing will hang up his boxing gloves at the end of the month and continue his quest to find the Black Country world-beater of tomorrow.
The 29-year-old, the only currently active fighter in the 'First Team Promotions' camp who also has a professional trainer's license, will compete for the 13th and last time in Burton-on-Trent on May 31.
His career in the paid ranks has only lasted three years, but the popular light-middleweight has coached his fellow boxers throughout his time in the sport - even to the detriment of his own success.
Now he swaps the ropes for the corner permanently, joining respected veterans Bob Plant and Errol Johnson where he believes he belongs.
Downing said: "Even when I was still an amateur, I did all my courses and trained others. Everybody always said I was good at it, it just suited me.
"I thoroughly enjoy it, I love the sport and I feel I have really found my calling in boxing."
The southpaw will take on Scott Conway in his farewell bout, looking to leave a nice memory for himself with a fifth win as a professional.
He retires with no regrets.
He said: "I am a better trainer than I am a boxer, to be honest. I have realised that I don't have the ability to be a world-beater, but I believe that I can train a young fighter to be a world-beater.
"When you have a boxing brain you can get your point across, but it don't always happen for you when you do it yourself.
"It's all about vision, when you are watching you can see things that a competitor wouldn't - that whats make a good trainer."
Now Downing turns his attention to training the superstars of tomorrow, with the region crying out for a 'First Team' fighter to take the world by storm.
He feels that - with the right guidance - it could happen.
He said: "The young professionals rely you as a trainer for everything, it's all new to them and we have to guide them through. It's like having your own kid in a way.
"The gulf from amateur to professional now is massive, but it's our job to see they adapt.
"I truly believe one of these young fighters in the 'First Team' camp can make the step up and be a world-beater."
Typically, the respected trainer - a scaffolder by day - insists he will entertain no thoughts of a comeback.
He said: "This is my last fight, without a doubt. My girlfriend said to me I would have to pick one or the other one day, so I had to make a choice sooner or later."
To be there for Downing's last fight, contact promoter Paul 'PJ' Rowson on 07976 283 157.
