On what seemed to be an average, chilly September evening, Ross Burkinshaw’s persistence finally paid off, and landed him the Commonwealth Bantamweight title in a sizzling-hot encounter that barely even happened.
The Sheffield, England, native answered the door — or telephone — when opportunity came knocking.
When he was told he could sign up for this fight, he was drifting into weight-range for a planned six-rounder coming up about two weeks later. Burkinshaw was ready to continue his climb back into the rankings before he was awarded this amazing chance, and, so, he took it with haste.
He was supposed to be in a stay busy fight, one that, under desirable circumstances, might have landed him a fight for a regional trinket.
Soon, all of that talk was thrown out the window. On four days notice, Ross Burkinshaw (13-5-2 7 KO’s) fought for the Commonwealth title. He had a talented, young upstart in Jason Cunningham standing across the ring, not the expected journeyman import, and it wasn’t going to be a so-called “showcase fight” for either combatant.
Cunningham radiated confidence. He had never tasted defeat, and, thus, maybe he had not learned the ability to cope whilst under attack, or maybe that’s how he stayed unblemished in the first place. Maybe Burkinshaw, the man four years his senior, boxing on four days notice, in the hostile territory of Doncaster, couldn’t match the advantages that would surely be asseverate to the local boy’s victory.
That was never the case. Although, for patches of the fight, the road win might have been slipping away for Burkinshaw.
Nonetheless, he preserved through a busted nose, a cut on his head, and broke the heart of his undefeated opponent, Cunningham. With his continued surge through the later rounds, Burkinshaw won a split decision in one of the best fights of 2014.
“Becoming the Commonwealth champion means so so much to me.” said Burkinshaw, who is still astonished by the circumstances surrounding this championship win, but was long bracing for his time to come.
It just so happened to be on the 6th of September in 2014. Fate gave him his perhaps his most gratifying moment, and a cherished memory to hold close as he fights towards even greater avail.
“I knew in my mind that I was going to win. I’ve had the belief since I began boxing over 20 years ago. I grew up with boxing stars around me such as “Prince” Naseem Hamed, Ryan Rhodes, Paul “Silky” Jones, Herol “Bomber” Graham, Clinton Woods, and when you have so many successful people around you it make you want to work as hard as them and rise to their level.”
Burkinshaw’s journey is not yet complete. Martin Ward vacated the Commonwealth title due to injury, and was originally postulated to box for the vacant belt, which, of course, puts him at the front of the line. A fight with Ward is being negotiated for December in Sheffield, and should be officially announced soon. As for the future, a rematch with Cunningham is always possible, seeing the valiant effort he put forth. There are plenty of other options across the world, too, as Burkinshaw looks to continue fighting his way up the ranks on an international scale.
“Now that I am a champion, I am going to defend my Bantamweight Commonwealth belt then move on to more titles at even higher levels. I have said from the beginning that I am more than capable of beating the champions, and I have the mind and heart to do it with the help of my team, my family, and my supporters, I will continue to succeed.” confidently stated Burkinshaw.
Right now, those possibilities haven’t been explored to much depth. And while, for Burkinshaw, these times have been that of immense celebration, they have been struck by great tragedy as well. Former Burkinshaw sparring partner, 8-3 professional boxer Jerome Wilson, was badly injured in his brave battle with Serge Ambomo of Cameroon.
Ambomo stopped Wilson after six rounds of a brutal and eventually calamitous battle, and sent him out of the ring on a stretcher.
Wilson underwent emergency surgery for brain injuries sustained in the fight. This saved the life of Wilson, 29, who remains hospitalized in a medically-induced coma.
“Jerome is down to earth, such a nice kid.” said Burkinshaw, referring to his friend. “He would do anything to help you out.”
Wilson is a family man, and, through tough times, donations would be welcomed to help with medical expenses. Cheques made payable to M.L.Boyce can be sent to Coldwell Boxing, Olympic House, 131 Masbrough Street, Rotherham, S60 1HW, and you can also donate funds via PayPal to hunbusfield@hotmail.co.uk. Your charitableness is appreciated.
