Jephcott vows to keep fighting fat

The 20-year-old put the official on the canvas with a stray punch early in the first round before going on to suffer a unanimous points defeat.

However, despite an ignominious start to his boxing career, Jephcott’s appearance in the ring marked the latest stage in a remarkable transformation for the former Myton School pupil.

A self-confessed ‘big lad’, Jephcott weighed 17st 8lb at 16, despite standing at just 5ft 3in.

But prompted by playground taunts, he decided to do something about it, first by changing his lifestyle and then by joining Cleary’s ABC.

“I was always interested in boxing; my brother Tommy is one of the coaches at Cleary’s. I was quite a big lad so I never got into it,” said Jephcott.

“But I was sick of being the big lad. I was mentally bullied at school with name calling and things like that and it got to the point where I needed to do something.

“I started losing weight when I turned 17. I lost two to three stone through healthy eating, going to the gym and saying no to junk food. And then through boxing I’ve lost four stone.”

Jephcott stepped into the ring a much-reduced 9st 7lb, but admits he still has another half a stone to lose to get down to his optimum fighting weight, with rigorous eight mile runs and strength training now the order of the day for the 5ft 7in switch-hitter.

But, while boxing has provided the focus in his battle to shift the pounds, the very thought of stepping into the ring would have proved too daunting an ordeal a few years ago.

“I’ve come a long way. It wasn’t just being fat, it was the panic attacks, anxiety and confidence problems that came with it.

“A couple of years ago I got quite depressed - I never went out of the house for nine months. Then I went to Round Oak School and they helped me with my confidence and getting out of the house. Then when I hit 16 I went to the gym and it was brilliant.”

Jephcott is currently studying for his CYQ Level 2 Certificate in Fitness Instructing at Henley-in-Arden College with the ultimate aim of going on to qualify as a personal trainer.

And he is hoping his own experiences will provide the inspiration for others who are battling with their weight.

“I want to hit obesity. I understand how hard it is to lose weight. I’ve been through it. I’ve had one-to-ones with personal trainers, but most personal trainers have always been fit.

“I want to be able to show people what I was like, what I’m like now and what can be achieved.”

Jephcott can be seen in action on February 19 at the Cleary’s ABC-promoted show at Warwick Boys’ School.

n Meanwhile fellow Cleary’s boxer Sean Greenfield has reached the ABA Novices Championship final after a points decision over Sheffield Lane Tops boxer Uzair Najeeb.

Greenfield now goes on to fight Glen Coe in the Dagenham final on January 23.