Life takes unexpected turns, and teenage Londoner Joe Ford would likely never have expected that he’d enter the ring in his first boxing bout at the mature age of 35, having already become known as arguably the most popular referee on the unlicensed boxing scene in West Yorkshire. Ford recently won his first boxing bout as he defeated Derby’s Ash Wright on a Leeds show organised by local promoter Tristan Haynes.

“I always liked boxing,” explained Ford. “I admired the boxers. The courage required just to get into the ring. The training and discipline which precedes a fight. The elation of winning. I was even a bit in awe of how the sport could massively change people’s lives for the better, as it’s turned out to have done for me.”

“In 2013 a referee was needed at short notice, so after some basic training there I was. I’ve done the training courses and must have been the third man at over 200 shows. Possibly 2000 bouts. Boxer safety has always been my top priority, and I’d rather wave a contest off slightly too early than slightly too late.”

Ford works as a drayman for a beer company in Morley, where he lives with his wife and three children. “I enjoy meeting people as I deliver. However, despite everything seeming fine, my mental health took a turn for the worse, and to cut a long story short, I disappeared one night in January last year.

Without the intervention of good friends Tom Young, Josh Sturgeon and someone going by the name of ‘Shoey’, who knows how things would have turned out? Suffice it to say that I’m sure they saved my life. Tom runs Young’s Boxing Academy, and Josh founded a local charity, MINT, or Men in Need Together.”

It’s Tom Young who suggested that as part of his recovery Ford compete in a boxing match. “You know the ropes,” he said, “and the commitment to training you admire in others will help you too. On 4th April I made my debut on the Haynes Promotions show and was absolutely delighted to have raised over £760 for MINT.”

Joe proved dominant in the first round and demonstrated the skills he’d been taught. “I kept the opponent on the backfoot and was able to confuse him with feints. I had him down in the first round and again in the second when the referee waved it off. I’m delighted and proud to have won my first bout by stoppage.”

“Joe has been our referee for years,” explained Haynes, 31. “Those attending enjoyed seeing him perform in an entertaining bout on a show which allowed other local boxers with full-time jobs to showcase their skills and prove how disciplined and courageous they are while earning some cash from commission on ticket sales.”