Unbeaten Worksop prospect, southpaw Declan Cairns, 3-0 (1), has more reason than most to push through a successful fight career – he’s doing so in memory of his beloved mother.

A minimalistic of amateur careers, Cairns readily admitting to having had just a seven-fight education before returning, in the paid ranks, the last of his amateur fights coming in the months, the dark aftermath, that was his mothers’ passing, which occurred on New Years’ Eve, 2013.

Following that heartbreak, Cairns stepped away from the sport, for some five years in fact, only ‘getting the bug’ again after seeing one of his friends, and fellow professional, Worksop’s Dylan Clegg, 4-0 (1), step through the ropes.

“I’m just about getting into the swing of things (after the last eighteen months) and used what I could of the lockdowns to my advantage as I’ve not really been out of the gym much,” admits Declan.

“It’s a case of my learning on the job though as I never had that much of an amateur career, just the seven contests.

“My mother, she passed away on the New Years’ Eve, and I had my last amateur contest shortly afterwards.

“I shouldn’t have done that really though, as I lost the fight, and with it any interest in the sport.

“My mum though, she was proud of me, so I did carry on with the training, the going to the gym, even doing the sparring, over the next five years (2013-18); but I struggled, and it was a tough time for me, so I never followed anything through.

“Then I went to watch my mate, Dylan (Clegg) in a fight and I felt, right there and then, that I could do actually this, and boxing, it gives me some much needed focus in life.”

Cairns’ debut, at the same venue he appears on Saturday night, the North Notts Arena, in his hometown of Worksop, would see the southpaw gain a TKO3 success over that of JJ Smith, the Maidstone fighter also making his pro debut that night, and Cairns has never looked back.

In winning his opening three contests to date, Cairns’ career, like most others, in the majority of sports, was hampered in recent times, by the presence of the ongoing, global pandemic.

“Winning my debut, it was the best feeling in the world,” smiled Declan.

“There is no better feeling and, for me, it really does all go back to me, who I dedicate all my fights to as it’s gives extra meaning, extra purpose.

“Covid though, yes, it’s held a lot of us back, but I still got experience through the training, the sparring, whilst also having a really good team behind me, and I feel that I’m progressing at the right speed.”

Last time out, in what was his third outing, Cairns would defeat Sussex fighter, Carl Turney, on points, earlier this year.

It was a victory that has set him up nicely for a good finish to the year, one which he will be looking to take on Saturday night.

“My enjoyment, I think it showed in my last fight,” adds Declan.

“It was a good performance and everyone was happy with it, which was great, but I just went in and did what I had to do.

“Now, my camp for this fight, on Saturday night, has been really good and I’ve enjoyed it.

“I’ve had some really good sparring as well, for my level, taking in some great sessions with Doncaster’s James Flint, 9-1-1 (2) who recently fought for the Central Area welterweight title, losing to Wakefield’s Dominic Hunt, over ten rounds, in Sheffield, on 13 November.

“Personally though, I feel ready for anyone.”

As for moving forward, next year, and with everyone hoping, praying, they can get back to some kind of continuous normality, Declan concluded in saying: “I’ll look to step the rounds up, keep doing what I’m doing, and make the push towards to the Midlands Area title.

“The experiences I’m getting though, right now, that’s the key, as I’m learning on the job, as you do with every fight.”

Declan Cairns appears for his fourth, professional contest, on the Scott Calow Promotions/Boxing Connected show on November 20, at the North Notts Arena, Worksop.

*Article provided by Peter Mann (Senior Correspondent).

*Main image @ScottCalow Declan Cairns (right) is 3-0 in his pro career to date.