KU student talks to The River about his boxing dreams

Kingston University student Paul Chimczak cannot wait to enter the ring and show the boxing world his talent.

Konstantinos Lianos

A KU student cannot wait to realise his dream of getting in the ring and having his debut amateur boxing fight.

Paul Chimczak, 21, an economics student, has been training intensely all year for a fight that has been cancelled twice. Nevertheless, he refuses to quit his goal of entering the ring.

“I have never been more motivated to do anything as I am for boxing. Not even university,” said Mr Chimczak. “I always wanted to give it a try. When you step into that ring it’s the most amazing feeling ever.”

The Polish-born student, who has just been registered as an ABA (Amateur Boxing Association ) boxer, undergoes three training sessions per week. He also runs three to five miles
every morning.

During his training he had the privilege to spar with two-time world heavyweight boxing champion, Tim Witherspoon.

“Massive rock”

“Tim is like a massive rock that can’t be moved; strong and fast. Sparring with him is an amazing experience.”

The 21-year-old was deeply disappointed after both cancellations but his boxing passion was not affected.

“The fight cancellation was a simple misunderstanding between me and one of the coaches,” he says. “It was cancelled for all the wrong reasons which included the end of the season and lack of paperwork.”

Nevertheless, he insists that even if he never has the fight he will keep training as he sees it as a hobby rather than an obligation.

As for his future opponent, he has the following message: “Once we get in the ring, it’s war.”

“The fight cancellation was a simple misunderstanding between me and one of the coaches,” he says. “It was cancelled for all the wrong reasons which included the end of the season and lack of paperwork.”

Mr Chimczak was supposed to have his debut fight at Portsmouth today but it seems like his match is not far away.

Driven

Nevertheless, he insists that even if his fight never takes place he will keep training as he sees it as a hobby rather than an obligation. The ABA boxer also anticipates the experience more than having his glove raised by the referee.

“I am doing it because I like it and I guess I want to prove something to myself,” he says. “Winning doesn’t mean as much as getting in that ring to fight someone strong. Obviously I want to win but also I want to enjoy myself.”

He added that winning would only make his experience even better as he would get to raise his glove to the audience and say that he is “better than the other guy.”

Mr Chimczak has suffered a few bruises and cuts as well as plenty of pain from training but he said that he enjoys the pain as it motivates him to do more and better.

The 21-year-old does understand that it is supposed to be just one fight initially but he would gladly consider having another one after.

As for his future opponent, he has the following message: “Once we get in the ring, it’s war.”