A Fans Perspective: Jonathan Scriven

Intro:

My name is Jonathan Scriven and I am 36. I was born in Caerphilly, South Wales and have lived here ever since.

Ringnews24.com: What age did you become interested in boxing and why?

I have always been interested in boxing, for, as long as I can remember. But back in the 1990's when Prince Naseem Hamed came onto the scene, I started to take a real interest. Then, when I saw the fight between Nigel Benn and Gerald McClellan I was hooked on the sport, and from that day on, boxing has become a big part of my life.

Ringnews24.com: What was the first fight you ever saw (on TV) or heard live (radio)?

The first fighter I can remember seeing was Sugar Ray Leonard, not sure who he was fighting, at the time I was about eight or nine - all I can remember is him showboating - swinging his right arm around then popping out the jab out. I thought it was amazing.

Ringnews24.com: What was the first fight you ever attended?

I didn't attended my first live fight until I was aged 24, and the first fight I ever attended was Joe Calzaghe vs Rick Thornberry, at the CIA (Cardiff International Arena). It was a great night, and Joe went on to win the fight on points. That was the first, of many.

Ringnews24.com: Have you boxed and, if yes, at what level?

I first stepped into a boxing gym aged five, one of my mums friends took me along, as he was a boxer, he was later murdered in a domestic argument. I then went to another gym aged ten, for a few weeks, but then stopped going after only a few weeks because my friends stopped going - even though I was enjoying it.

Another 14 years, then past, before I returned to the gym aged twenty four. I had my first amateur fight after just nine weeks of being in the gym, and at this time of my life - I was a smoker. I remember the fight well, the first round went fine I jabbed the kids head off, and that's all I had to do, really, to win the fight, but as the rounds went on my fitness came into play - I started to fade and the kid started to come on strong, and stopped me in the 3rd round, with not much time left on the clock. I was gutted and then thought to myself, that, If I want to go further and better myself in the hardest sport in the world, I would have to give up smoking, so that's what I did, and that was the last night I ever touched a cigarette!!

I went on to have another fight two weeks later, and another fight, three weeks after that, it was then three years until I got in the ring again, and then another two years before my last fight in 2004. Boxing is big part of my life and always will be.

Ringnews24.com: Who is your favourite fighter from the past?

I have a few, but I have to say my all-time favourite fighter has to be Lennox Lewis, as he was the master of the fine art of Boxing

Ringnews24.com: What is the best fight that you ever saw?

The best fight I ever saw, and the fight that got me hooked on boxing was Nigel Benn and Gerald McClellan, the fight was amazing!

Ringnews24.com: Who is your favourite active fighter and Why?

My favourite active fighter is Saul Alvarez, What he has achieved is pretty unbelievable, at just 15 he turned pro. Alvarez at fifteen, was starting his professional fighting career. Hes now twenty one years old and already a superstar, in Mexico, and one of the best junior middleweight boxers in the world.

Ringnews24.com: If you had to tip one Prospect to go all the way, who would it be?

Again, I know a lot of people are going to think I'm crazy for saying this, but I really do believe that if Tyson Fury keeps on moving, in the right direction, and improving the way he has been, he could go on to be Heavy weight champion of the world.

Ringnews24.com: Who wins in the following fights?

Vitali Klitschko vs David Haye:

Vitali Klitschko - Too big, too strong, too clever.

Floyd Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao:

Floyd Mayweather- I think Floyd would win by decision. I think any true boxing fan would know Mayweather is the better fighter.

Ringnews24.com: Who do you rank as the best Heavyweight of all-time?

Again, I have to say, Lennox Lewis.

Ringnews24.com: Who do you rate as the best fighter of all-time?

It has to be Sugar Ray Robinson, an amazing record of 173 wins 109 KOs with 19 Losses, 6 draws and 2 no contests. That says it all.

Ringnews24.com: Who do you rate as the current best fighter?

This has to go to Floyd Mayweather, as he has answered all questions asked to date, and passed all tests.

Ringnews24.com: Which fighters do you see as Stars of the future?

I would say, Adrian Broner, Saul Alvarez, Yuriorkis Gamboa and Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. These guys are all at the top of the game. I think it will take a lot to knock them off.

Ringnews24.com: Do you have any involvement in boxing now and in what capacity?

I still attend the boxing gym, a few months a year, mainly to keep fit and lose weight, and I'm doing a sponsored cycle ride, from Merthyr Tydfil to Cardiff, to raise money for the local boxing gym, so that they can buy some new equipment.

Ringnews24.com: What other hobbies do you have besides following boxing?

I like to keep myself busy ,and I have a few other hobbies, cycling, kayaking, kayak surfing, Trials motor riding, photography and making videos.

Follow Jon on his YouTube page: http://www.youtube.com/user/jonboxer?feature=watch

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