Lives in Morecambe, trains in Walsall, wins in Manchester
The North has a history of producing tough and talented boxers, but Morecambe lad John Tom Varey’s comes to Walsall to train with Shiney Singh at his Box Smart Elite Boxing Club and has just made what Singh described as an ‘exceptional debut professional performance’ with new recruit Varey likely to be a future champion.
“Those who know about the sport agree,” said Singh. “We only had a glimpse of what this kid can do. That was as good a debut performance as can be.” Varey himself was “happy how it went, there’s always pressure and nerves, but feedback has been positive. I’ve learnt quickly how tough these opponents can be. I felt composed, hit him with everything and hopefully made it clear what I’m about.”
Nineteen-year-old flyweight Varey picked up the full forty points on referee Steve Gray’s scorecard as he defeated Mexican boxer Brandon Vargas over four rounds on a show staged by Frank Warren at Manchester’s Co-op Live Arena. Varey comes to the pro ranks with a distinguished amateur record of just five losses in 60 bouts as well as being judged best boxer at the prestigious Haringey Box Cup in London. “That was the highlight of my career. I’d done everything I wanted to as an amateur. This was the time for the transition to the professional sport. It’s a three-hundred-mile round trip to Walsall but it’s Shiney’s gym and he’s the best coach for me. I’ve been with him for years. The fight camp he arranged was as intense as it should be.”
“I’m from a boxing family. My cousin Thomas who’s 20 is undefeated in 10 professional bouts. My brother Oathy is regularly picking up national titles. We lost my older brother Frank following an accident several years ago. There’s not a day goes by, an hour even, that I don’t think of him and the potential he had. Frank was five times a national champion and represented England. I’ve won six national titles and a bronze in a world championship and a silver in a European. I’m a part-time roofer but the sport is my life. I don’t really have any other hobbies. When I have spare time, I’m trying to learn something new and perfect my craft. I always knew I’d be a professional and with Shiney guiding me I plan to be unstoppable. I’m looking forward to being out in the New Year on another big card.”
Varey is grateful to sponsors based in the Midlands including Birmingham restaurant 29 States, clothes brand Montirex and Aproderm. Further potential sponsors should contact him on Instagram @john_tom_varey or by e-mail johnvarey394@gmail.com.
Box Smart Elite is located at 245a Stafford Street, WS2 8DF and can be contact via social media or e-mail boxsmartelite@hotmail.com.
