Harry Armstrong will be going back to where it all began for him as he steps through the ropes again on Torquay turf.
He’s back in Devon when BCB Promotions stage their show at the Riviera International Centre, with fight night set for Friday September 2.
The big heavyweight splits his time between Torquay, where he lived full-time until three years ago, and London, where he’s trained by Don Charles.
Armstrong, who stands at 6ft 6in, boxed the likes of Lawrence Okolie and Joe Joyce, as an amateur, an unpaid career which was mostly spent at Apollo Sports Club in Torquay.
He was a national amateur champion, claiming junior ABA honours at the age of 17. He sat out three years, between 2015 and 2018, with a shoulder injury, before turning pro.
The 29-year-old recorded 15 wins from 27 amateur bouts, turning pro in 2020. He’s since moved to 4-0, all points win with a six-rounder already in the bag.
Miloslav Pavek, Phil Williams and Mait Metsis were all outpointed over four rounds, with Armstrong also beating Jake Darnell over the longer distance.
He feels as if he’s constantly honing his skills and adding to his game under the tutelage of Charles, who was the long-time coach of Dereck Chisora.
Armstrong said: “Don is awesome. I personally believe he’s the best coach for heavyweights in the country. He teaches a lot of defence, too, rather than just focussing on attack.
“I’ve been with him since I turned pro, which has brought me back to London, where I was born. I’m constantly driving from there to Torquay!
“I was born and bred in Camden, then we lived in Finchley until I was eight, before we moved down to Torquay. I’m still there most weekends.
“I train full-time in London and I stay at my sister’s house in Edgware. My partner, Laura, lives back in Torquay, so I stay either with my or her parents when I’m back.
“I’m doing all that I can to make the most of my boxing career, I’m a natural heavyweight and I believe in my skills. I’m a boxer, through and through, but I also like to get stuck in.
“All of my opponents (as a pro) have been incredibly game, so every fight has been a test. None of them just walked around, they all tried to put it on me.
“I’ve already done six rounds, so I might be ready for a title fight, after a couple more wins. By then, the bunch of guys who are above me, in the rankings, might be ready to move up.
“That could leave the Southern area and, perhaps, even the English title open for me. I’m 29, so I want to make things happen quickly.
“I’ve only boxed in Torquay a few times before and I actually made my amateur debut at the Riviera, but I lost on points! That was in 2005, so I’ve come a massively long way since then.
“I’ve won at the Riviera since, I beat a lad from Barnstaple in 2012. He was a big, strong farmer, but I still got the win (unanimous on points).
“I’m looking forward to boxing there again and there should be a good crowd there to cheer me on. Hopefully, I can give them something to shout about.”
Tickets for ‘Rumble on the Riviera’ are available now, priced at £40 standard or £75 VIP ringside with buffet, directly from the boxers or by visiting myfighttickets.com.
