You don’t hear often enough the stories of the good boxing does for people.
Now, there is a tale that has been made on our doorstep and the subject of the story will be hoping for a happy introduction as well as a happy end.
Meet Lee Stevens, who this Saturday makes his debut at 30-years-young.
If you don’t know of the Newton Aycliffe boxer, it’s probably no surprise, given his lack of amateur experience.
Lee has not had the easiest of times, suffering drug addiction, and falling foul of the law, finding himself spending some time at Her Majesty’s Pleasure.
But Stevens has turned his life around, so much so that he will take his first ring steps as a professional in Liverpool, where he takes on Scouser, Brad Strand, in a battle of the debutants at Greenbank Sports Academy.
Lee, who will operate at super-bantam, is part of the in-form gym of Pete Shepperson, who enjoyed a Saturday triple at the Dolphin Centre, where Ellis Corrie, John Green and Daryll Hall all tasted victory in D-Day in Darlo.
Shepperson admits he has not rushed Lee and has tried to build his knowledge and experience before going into the toughest sport out there, where he hopes to make his family, his partner, son, stepson and baby daughter proud.
“Lee has had a chequered past, but he has turned his life around to try to be a better person and role model to his kids,” Pete told punch-lines.
“Boxing is how he has done it.
“Lee has spent time at Darlington BC with Andy Marksby and dedicated himself to boxing.
“He only had a few amateur fights but he has always wanted to be a professional boxer and so applied for his licence before coming to train with me.
“It’s been a slow process as I’ve wanted to make sure Lee was as ready as possible due to his limited amateur experience,.
“He has never lost his enthusiasm or desire despite me holding him back and has pushed himself to improve and learn and prove to me that he is ready.”
Stevens, who is managed by Carl Greaves, is happy to fight away from home, just like his DBMA team-mate, Adam Hutchinson who, coincidentally, is also in action on the Black Flash Promotions event on Merseyside. Lee is pictured above in the middle, flanked by Hutchinson (left) and Corrie (right).
“Like Adam, Lee will box on the road, and, like Adam, he will always give nothing but 100per cent, and that’s all you can ask for,” added Pete.
Whatever the scoreline on Saturday Lee, you are already a winner.
Words: Roy Kelly
