New team. New start. New challenge.
That is the Sam Menzies story in a nutshell.
The unbeaten ‘Pocket Rocket’ is preparing for his first bout in eight months when he takes on Lithuanian Marius Vysniauskas on the Jobes Boxing show in Houghton.
It will mark his debut for the Forest Hall stable and coach Davy Ritson, following the South Shields star’s move north of the Tyne having won all eight of his contests to date with his old trainer and mentor Mal Gates.
Menzies has thrown himself fully into full-time pro life in NE12, where he trains daily alongside Lewis Ritson and Ewan Mackenzie.
“It’s all smiles,” explained Sam. “It’s a hard life being a full-time professional athlete, so it’s good to have team-mates alongside you, like-minded people.
“I have a good relationship with Davy and with Lewis and Ewan. We’re all striving to better ourselves every day. I’m really excited for what the future holds.”
The immediate future is six rounds with Vysniauskas, who some of you may remember being involved in a very watchable eight-rounder with Joe Maphosa in the same Rainton Arena a few years back.
After that he will be looking to quickly advance a career he describes as “stop-start so far – he made his paid debut six years ago.
“I’m looking for a very active 2024, starting with this Saturday and my first fight under the Forest Hall banner,” he told punch-lines.
“I want to start catching the eye of people and I feel like the work we’re doing at Forest Hall will really bring it out of me.”
Given the 27-year-old has been boxing for more than half his life, it is no shock he is eager to get a move on.
“I’ve got a vision,” said Sam, who will campaign at super-bantam or bantamweight.
“I’ve had a vision since I was a kid. I’ve boxed since I was 11 and I’ve put a lot in and made a lot of sacrifices to get to where I am now.
“I’m eight fights unbeaten and haven’t lost a round so far, but the journey hasn’t really started yet.
“I’ve been a lot less active than I’d liked to have been and I’d like to be further on in my career than I am.
“Fortunately, I’m young enough to have discovered that.
“My family and friends joke how I live like a monk, I don’t drink, I don’t party, I don’t do anything, other than go to the gym and go to bed.
“I eat, sleep and drink boxing.”
His ambition and determination are evident in his tone during our interview at the Everlast gym at the Metro Centre, where Jobes Boxing staged a media day. With those facets mixed with his confidence and talent can we expect to see the Pocket Rocket flying into the title picture?
“100 per cent,” said Sam, who is being managed by Phil Jeffries. “I want some accolades to show for my hard work and sacrifice.
“I’m not in this just to get pictures of me smiling getting my hand raised at the end of a fight.
“I want glory. I want to prove to no-one else but myself how good I can be.
“That will come only by challenging the best in my area, the country, Europe, the world, you name it.
“I’m a student of the game, it’s all I watch on the telly, I read all the books and I’m fascinated by the history and I want to make my own history.”
That will start this weekend at Rainton Arena, where the Northern Area lightweight title fight between Nathan Forrest and Kai Richmond tops the bill.
Words: Roy Kelly Picture: Adam Barnsley/ Jobes Boxing
