Post by Cantankerous Gas on Nov 11, 2014 10:56:02 GMT
DUANE Winter is living proof that it is possible to be raised in Knowle West and still carve out a career in professional sport.
The south Bristol district is more accustomed to making headlines for all the wrong reasons, playing host as it does to its share of social deprivation and a distinct lack of opportunity for its often disillusioned youth.
Born and bred in Knowle West, Winter embarked upon a one-man mission to fundamentally alter perceptions when he decided to join boxing's paid ranks earlier this years.
When he climbs between the ropes to make his professional fight debut on a Chris Sanigar promotion at Bristol's City Academy on Friday, December 6, the 26-year-old will be hell-bent upon portraying his home suburb in a positive light.
....Winter is a remarkable character in more than one respect. Strange as it may seem, he is a dyed in the wool Bristol Rovers fan – a distinct rarity in Knowle – and he will arrive in the ring sporting the club's blue and white colours.
Although he comes from an area long regarded as a Bristol City stronghold, Winter nevertheless attracts a decent-sized following from among his peers south of the river.
He said: "My mates are nearly all Bristol City fans, but that doesn't stop them following me and supporting me when I box.
"I always had a good following when I boxed as an amateur and I expect to sell a couple of hundred tickets at least for this next show.
"I know it's all a bit crazy, but they are not put off by me supporting Bristol Rovers.
Winter will enter the ring wearing specially-designed silk shorts sporting the word 'Gasman' on the waist band.
He added: "I had them specially made and I'm really pleased with them.
"I get a lot of stick from my mates for wearing them, but I wouldn't change them for the world.
"I love Bristol Rovers and I want to take them into the ring with me on fight night."
The south Bristol district is more accustomed to making headlines for all the wrong reasons, playing host as it does to its share of social deprivation and a distinct lack of opportunity for its often disillusioned youth.
Born and bred in Knowle West, Winter embarked upon a one-man mission to fundamentally alter perceptions when he decided to join boxing's paid ranks earlier this years.
When he climbs between the ropes to make his professional fight debut on a Chris Sanigar promotion at Bristol's City Academy on Friday, December 6, the 26-year-old will be hell-bent upon portraying his home suburb in a positive light.
....Winter is a remarkable character in more than one respect. Strange as it may seem, he is a dyed in the wool Bristol Rovers fan – a distinct rarity in Knowle – and he will arrive in the ring sporting the club's blue and white colours.
Although he comes from an area long regarded as a Bristol City stronghold, Winter nevertheless attracts a decent-sized following from among his peers south of the river.
He said: "My mates are nearly all Bristol City fans, but that doesn't stop them following me and supporting me when I box.
"I always had a good following when I boxed as an amateur and I expect to sell a couple of hundred tickets at least for this next show.
"I know it's all a bit crazy, but they are not put off by me supporting Bristol Rovers.
Winter will enter the ring wearing specially-designed silk shorts sporting the word 'Gasman' on the waist band.
He added: "I had them specially made and I'm really pleased with them.
"I get a lot of stick from my mates for wearing them, but I wouldn't change them for the world.
"I love Bristol Rovers and I want to take them into the ring with me on fight night."
