By James Bovington
Kickboxer Joe Skirrow is a man in a hurry after winning his first amateur bout on a show in Liverpool.
Skirrow, 24, took up combat sports aged 11 but “only got serious about competing this past couple of years but now can’t wait for all the wins I plan for 2026.”
“It was when my granddad passed that I realised that life goes by and I wanted to make something of it, achieve and be remembered. I’d learnt so much from him. He was my best mate and my commitment to the sport in my mind is a way of honouring him. That’s how I see it.
“I started out with Mike Tobin as a pre-teen and enjoyed it but in my teenage life revolved around football. I’ve been to other clubs in West Leeds. There’s quite a few and they’re all good but I’m back at Tobin’s. I’ve lots of mates here and the family atmosphere is second to none.”
Having a boxing bout on a white collar show in 2024 gave Skirrow “the confidence to compete more widely and the courage to do so even though I lost”.
He added: “I needed to get into better shape. I lost 6kg coming down to 66kg for the Liverpool show. I threw myself into training. 6km runs each morning and gym every evening.
“On the day I let the Scousers know what I was about walking to the ring to the sound of Marching on Together. I’m from Leeds and they needed to know it. The opponent knew it when I winded him with a second-round knee shot to his ribs. He didn’t have an answer, and I went on to win by unanimous decision.
“I was proud to have showcased fighting skills especially for the two dozen supporters who were then travelling home across the Pennines on a late autumn evening. The win was what I’d worked for. I’d proved I can fight.
“I was overwhelmed with the adrenalin rush and couldn’t stay still afterwards. Now I can’t wait for my next outing probably on our spring home show. I just need to gain experience and as I improve get more support in our West Leeds community.”
Former Farnley Academy student Skirrow works full time having completed a telecommunications installations apprenticeship and lives in Wortley with his family.
“My dad Karl taught me that it’s nice to be nice and I promise to remain humble even as I hopefully go on to bigger and better things in the sport. I won’t be nice in my bouts. But I will make my supporters happy and hopefully eventually bring more sporting honours to our West Leeds community.”
If potentially able to offer Skirrow sponsorship contact him on Instagram @joeskiz or e-mail joeskiz@hotmail.co.uk.
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