Money and a legacy for his family - that’s what matters to Kirk

Against all odds…Kirk Stevens celebrates winning Top Boxer

THE deafening clank of industrial heavy metal – sheets and girders – echoed in the background as Kirk Stevens briefly broke from his welding to discuss boxing.

The Wrekin Rocky’s next bout is only three days away, yet he is toiling in the oven heat of a factory.

A small hall fighter’s lot is not a glamorous one.

On Saturday, at Birmingham Airport’s Holiday Inn, super-lightweight Stevens steps through the ropes for the first time in six months. And for once, the odds are firmly stacked in his favour.

Doncaster’s Sam Kirk is a survivor yet to have his hand raised in victory. The only thing on his side against Telford’s rugged Stevens is weight – he’s operated as high as middleweight.

Father-of-two Stevens is just glad to be back in action. “It’s been frustrating,” he said. “I don’t want to be fighting every six months, I want to be active.”

Being the overwhelming favourite is something of a rarity for Kirk, now based at Tristan Davies’ Donnington gym.

At the age of 35 and with 11 bouts under his belt, he’s gained a reputation for creating Cinderella stories.

Back in 2023, he entered Tommy Owen’s lucrative Top Boxer tournament at three days notice. The oldest competitor in the event, the only one with losses on his record, Stevens was considered the man most likely to fall first.

He won the whole caboodle.

In the same year, he travelled to Stoke to face Potteries hero Jamie Stewart and returned with the Midlands super-lightweight title.

He returned to Stoke three months later and repeated the feat.

In an era of padded records, Stevens is old school. Reputations don’t both him, only the money on the table matters.

“I don’t mind taking 50-50 fights,” he said, “as long as the money is right and they know I’m coming to win.

“I was never given a chance, I’ve always been the underdog. I don’t mind being the underdog, it is what it is – you roll the dice and see what happens on the night.

“I am willing to put my heart and soul into a fight, I’m willing to put my life on the line. It’s the dog in me, it’s the way I’ve been brought up.

“I’ll take any fight as long as the price is right. If he’s a knockout artist I want a decent wedge. Making money and creating a legacy, that’s what matters.”

Stevens entered the game late, but insists he’s blossomed at Donnington and the changes will be apparent on Saturday night.

“I wish I’d started boxing when I finished playing football as he teenager,” he shrugged. “I wish I’d started my journey at Donnington because I’m from that neck of the woods.

“I’m 35, it’s just a number. I’m the fittest I’ve ever been, my mental state for the sport is better than it’s ever been. Donnington has given me a new lease of life.

“I’m ready to put on a show, show what I’m capable of, show my skills. I’m more of a boxer now, but I’ve still got that dog in me.

“I want to go for the English or British (titles) at either lightweight-or super-light. After this fight, go for the Midlands (title) again, win that then see what Tristan and Jon (manager Jon Pegg) have to say.”

There are better boxers than Kirk Stevens out there. Not many possess his warrior spirit or unquenchable thirst for a tear-up.