The constant swinging of the door, testing its hinges on the home dressing room at the back of our historic York Hall, was the last thing the losing fighter needed to hear. Coming and going, family and friends offered their sympathy, with their voices bouncing off the emotionless face of the defeated, heavy favourite.
Over two years on, the pain experienced after the fight had faded, but the lessons learnt were invaluable. Luton’s Kay Prospere (12-1, 7KOs) told me all about current preparation for his English title fight, soon to be contested in the very same venue.
“I underestimated him”, Kay explained candidly, looking back at his only defeat to former Southern Area champion, Rakeem Noble, in October 2016.
“I think that’s one of the major reasons I came unstuck on the night. I was on the verge of winning the fight, but all of a sudden my tank just went from being full to being completely empty. That was the first time I’d ever done the day before weigh-in, so I think from weighing in and rehydrating, I wasn’t really advised well.
“I’ve learnt a lot about myself and my own temperament, cos’ I think I went a bit too gung-ho. I learnt more from that fight than I ever could have from my wins, all of my knockouts etc. Yeah, it wasn’t good, but I can take so many positives from it!”
Discussing the moments following the decision, he added, “I was in bits. I broke down [after the fight] and I was kinda like, I just didn’t want anyone else around me. I’ve got a partner and she came to see me and told me everything would be alright.
“I was so expected to win, I was a big favourite… I felt embarrassed. I was embarrassed to lose to Rakeem but on the night, he really performed. He threw the kitchen sink at me and I’ve come to terms with it. Some things happen for a reason and I’m a better fighter and a better person, all round.”
The pressure of boxing, even at small hall level, was immense. Fighters selling tickets to batches of friends or colleagues were expected to perform in the hope of attracting returning custom. It was how many paid their bills or funded their training expenses. I’d watched fighters call off contests with ten days to go, after only selling fifteen tickets, falling sixty-five short of their ‘house money’. Kay had a decent following though, and had returned in style, winning three fights on the bounce.
To watch him train or flick through his social media, his age had become something of a myth. Opening up on his late entry into boxing, he never felt the need to chase progression as a clean-living and athletic-type, since adolescence. This year, he’ll turn thirty-five, though matching the man with the birth certificate would have been a tremendously difficult task.
“A lot of people say that’s too old. I don’t feel thirty-four and I’m not performing like I’m that age. To be honest, I’ve not been boxing for that long. I boxed for the first time as an amateur when I was twenty-two. I’ve not been in any wars. I don’t really drink, I eat well, even when I’m not in camp. So, I’m not really worried about my age.
“Basically, I used to play a lot of football and I had aspirations to be a footballer. My cousin, who coached me as an amateur [boxer], we both live in the same area and he came to me with an idea. He said, ‘There’s boxing gyms in other parts of Luton, why not set one up in our area?’ I said, ‘Yeah – I’d be well up for doing that!’
“I went on and got my coaching badges and I was coaching boys for a year or two. One thing led to another and I started sparring a bit. Then, I thought that I might as well have a fight, to see what I can do. I won it by KO and just really got the buzz for it. I’ve never looked back from there, really.”
That pro-active aspect of Prospere’s personality had been channeled positively, which was sometimes easier said than done in an area like Luton. Glancing back at his peers, it was a case of ‘what if’, as former friends or classmates had become involved in certain unsavoury activities.
Luton has been producing its own fresh, steady crop of boxing talent lately. Kay was leading their push with his fight for the English title fast approaching, whilst gifted Hayemaker prospect Linus Udofia was chasing domestic honours and extremely talented amateur, Jordan Reynolds, continues turning heads in the unpaid ranks.
It was a town that relied upon their breakout stars, providing hope for any disillusioned or underprivileged youth. Whether it was the fans decked out in alarming orange, traipsing down to Kennilworth Road, barking their loyal anthems at Luton Town FC, or a bus of boxing enthusiasts supporting young amateur fighters, Luton always brought its people out.
“In Luton, I was born-and-bred. I’ve always lived here, but moved around different parts. I’ve always been, I don’t know what you would class it as? I’ve been involved in negative stuff. Just your normal person from my environment. I was always attracted to the stuff that was going on around me, but I was always a respectful person and I always had ambitions to achieve something.”
Kay continued, “Luton, it’s got its different areas and there’s a lot of post code wars. So, one area is fighting against another area and there’s people getting shot and killed. I really didn’t wanna be a part of that, but sports was just the automatic thing for me and that allowed me to stay out of trouble.
“I’ve got a lot of friends and well, all of them, they’re still doing the same things. I’ve always tried to be an individual and always tried to do what I thought was right. If they would say, ‘Why don’t you come out? Why don’t we do this?’ I’d be like, ‘Nah, I’d rather go to training or do my own thing!’ I think that allowed me to block out that negative stuff and focus on myself!”
That focus on training and bettering himself had opened various doors for the man dubbed, ‘Special K’. He’s a fully qualified electrician, with a decade’s experience, earning a solid income from an honest trade. He’d stuck to studying, in his own way. Realising his passion was in learning about the intricacies of sport, he attained his Master’s Degree.
His fight with Sheffield’s Sam O’Maison presented his biggest obstacle. Although he’d suffered defeat once before, the English junior welterweight title was a dream for Prospere. He was aware that O’Maison, twice beaten himself, carried plenty of ability into their clash on March 16th, but revisiting those emotions experienced after his bout with Noble wasn’t something he’d been considering.
“He’s got good pedigree, [Sam O’Maison]. Amateurs and pros are completely different, I know he trained in the Ingle gym and they expected big things. He’s got a really slick style, he can punch. He can move, he can slide. So, he’s got a lot to his game. Now, obviously he’s moved to Ryan Rhodes and Rhodes, he had massive pedigree. He’s been giving him some great advice and all these things make me think he’s a dangerous opponent.
“I’m not expecting a one or two round knockout. I don’t know what’s gonna happen, but he’s a serious fighter and a serious test for me. I think that’s what I like, when you haven’t got that fear factor, you take the breaks off. I know I’m not in there with any chump, but I don’t wanna lose again. If I perform at my best, I’ve got a really good chance of winning this fight.”
Becoming English champion would see Kay fulfil his ambition in the sport, a young man who’d been determined to achieve ‘something’. On leaving our conversation, he opened up on his work with young offenders, giving them the tools to cope with their aggression. Through boxing, he’d found a way to give back to his community, inspiring young men and women who’d rarely experienced hope.
These were kids in a PRU, also referred to as a ‘last chance’ school. It was this form of education, or no education at all.
Prospere left it late to discuss his work with these kids. Selflessly and quite ridiculously, he thanked me for my time, after he’d worked a full shift during the day and then finished his training, at Xavier Miller’s ‘IQ Boxing’. It was clear, even from spending twenty minutes getting to know the challenger, that his role in the sport would extend further than his fighting days – admittedly, numbered.
“These are kids that are involved with knife crime, being aggressive to teachers. I go to the school and teach them boxing, channel their energy. I go to three or four schools in my local area and work on little things with the police. Boxing gives them a self-respect. It’s almost like, they realise the potential they have inside of them.
“Someone can be punching them in the face, and they’ve developed the ability to control their emotions. It strengthens them from within. It empowers them on so many different levels and it gives them a feeling of self-worth.
“I think boxing can bring the best out of people, showing respect. They should know that this is how boxing should be conducted. It has so much more to offer than people think. It’s a massive tool to guide people in the right way.”
Article by: Craig Scott
Follow Craig on Twitter at: @craigscott209