Chatteris Commonwealth champion Jordan Gill says he’s ‘lucky to have boxing as a full-time job’ in exclusive radio interview

Harry Rutter

Published: 12:04 PM October 30, 2018

Updated: 9:45 PM October 31, 2020

Jordan Gill (centre) celebrates victory against Ryan Doyle in the Commonwealth Featherweight Championship at The Copperbox Arena, London. Picture: PAUL HARDING / PA - Credit: PA Wire/PA Images

A Commonwealth champion from the Fens has told the BBC he’s “lucky to have boxing as a full-time job” after winning his title fight at the weekend.

Jordan Gill of Chatteris took the Commonwealth featherweight boxing title on Saturday night in a thrilling encounter against the Copper Box Arena, London. He defeated reigning champion Ryan Doyle in the seventh round. Picture: IAN CARTER - Credit: Archant

Undefeated Jordan Gill of Chatteris took the Commonwealth Featherweight Title from Ryan Doyle on October 27 at the Copper Box Arena in London.

Gill finished off Doyle on round seven when the referee jumped in and called it off, crowning him the new champion and adding another fight to his now 22-0 record.

Jordan is now sat at his family home in Chatteris waiting for a special delivery, his new Featherweight Title belt.

Ryan Doyle (left) against Jordan Gill in the Commonwealth Featherweight Championship at The Copperbox Arena, London. Picture: PAUL HARDING / PA - Credit: PA Wire/PA Images

In an interview with BBC Radio Cambridgeshire, he said: “I posed for pictures with the belt on Saturday but that was Ryan Doyle’s belt so I had to give it back to him.

“They’re sending me a brand spanking shiny new one out today and it’s going to be paraded around. Hopefully it’s special delivery and it gets here quick.”

Before the fight, which was streamed live on Sky Sports TV and online, Gill received some criticism from boxing writers. Some doubted he could beat Doyle in the ring.

Jordan added: “They said he’d be too big and too strong [Ryan Doyle], but you know, we proved them wrong.

“I had him rocking and rolling in the fourth round and I managed to finish him in the seventh when the referee jumped in and called it off.”

When asked, what’s next for Jordan Gill, he said: “I’m not sure, I think I have a challenger from Felix Willams, he’s had 26 fights and won 25.

Ryan Doyle (right) against Jordan Gill in the Commonwealth Featherweight Championship at The Copperbox Arena, London. Picture: PAUL HARDING / PA - Credit: PA Wire/PA Images

“So that could be an option to defend the Commonwealth title. There’s the British Title knocking about, you know anything can happen.

“The thing with boxing is that opportunities arise and there might be an opportunity to fight for a bigger and better title and I’m sure I’ll grab it with both hands like I did this time.”

He added: “It’s been huge, I think I’ve never had to charge my phone so much because it’s just been going off the charts.

“All my life I’ve lived in Chatteris, I train Monday to Friday in Sheffield with my trainer Dave Coldwell and then on the weekends I’m in Chatteris with my family.

“It’s [boxing] my life, it’s a full-time job for me and I’ve been very lucky to be able to have boxing as a full-time job and dedicate my whole life to it.”