Kay Jimenez is leaving no stone unturned to heighten his knowledge of boxing after travelling overseas again for training.
He next engages in competitive combat at the Eastside Rooms, on Woodcock Street in Birmingham, when BCB Promotions return to the venue on Saturday June 17.
‘The Syrian Gladiator’ is back in the city where he resides, living close to the gym where he’s trained by Spencer McCracken Jnr, who led him into the pro ranks.
The 30-year-old super welterweight, whose full name is Kutaiba Chami Jimenez, was born in Aleppo to a Syrian father and Spanish mother, who is now based in Marbella.
He was a four-time national champion, in Syria, and also boxed at amateur level in Spain and England (for Hooks Boxing Club in London), racking up 47 wins from 55 bouts.
Last December, Jimenez made his pro debut and figured again in February, moving to 2-0 with a couple of four-round wins. He now moves up to a six-rounder.
Those successes were over seasoned journeyman Paul Cummings and MJ Hall, outpointing both through 40-36 landslide score-lines. Each of them took place at the Eastside Rooms.
Aside from his training trip, he has also benefitted from sparring with the likes of Danny Ball, River Wilson-Bent and Owen Cooper, all champions in the pro ranks.
Jimenez said: “I’m feeling very fit, from my training camp, and ready to go. I went to a special place, in Spain, and learned a lot about boxing. My mentality is to use more of my brain now.
“I stayed for a week with Gabriel Sarimento, the coach of Sergio Martinez and spent time with Kiko Martinez (both two-weight former world champions).
“Kiko is from Elche, a small town in Mercia, and I was there having one-to-one sessions with Gaby. They gave me plenty of tips on how to improve my boxing.
“Then me and Kiko went up into the mountains, for a run, and I was able to pick his brain about some things, like techniques that I can work on myself in the gym.
“In my opinion, Kiko is the greatest Spanish boxer to ever live and, even then, he was running like there was no tomorrow. His work-rate is second to none.
“The best advice that he gave me was to ‘do something every day’ and maintain fitness. He wasn’t even training for a fight. I’m in the leisure centre on my days off!
“This is a lifestyle for me and if I wasn’t boxing, I’d be moving back to Spain, where my girlfriend and mother are. Instead, I’m living in Birmingham and following my dreams.
“At 30 years of age, I’m not in a place where I can waste time. I’m willing to take risks, even when I’m not sure what is going to happen. There are levels to this game.
“I can make the step up to six rounds and I’ll go out there and put my heart into it. I think that I’ll show who I am and throw lots of punches. I’m always in shape.
“There is always something to prove, after every performance. I can pick out my faults and let others tell me the things that I did well. I want to be better, stronger, fitter and faster.”
Tickets for the Eastside Rooms bill are available, priced at £40 standard or £75 VIP ringside, directly from the boxers or by visiting myfighttickets.com.
