Liverpool's Sean Arkwright Hopes To Emulate Success Of Conteh And Bellew

Merseyside has produced champion boxers who became household names, such as John Conteh and Tony Bellew. Liverpool-born Conteh grew up in Kirkby and was the first from the region to win a world title when he secured the WBC light-heavyweight title in 1974. Tony Bellew from Toxteth won the WBC cruiserweight title in 2016 and became something of a movie star. Liverpool boxer Sean Arkwright is keen to emulate their success.

Arkwright is enjoying a very busy year, having won three bouts in the space of three months after a two-year absence from the ring. All three bouts were organised by Arkwright’s manager Steve Wood’s V IP Promotions, with the first two taking place at Liverpool’s Grand Central Hall and the third at Blackpool’s Winter Gardens.

“I felt a little bit flat in this most recent fight and am still recovering from a hand injury, but I did what I needed to win all six rounds and beat Dzmitry Atrokhau,” explained Arkwright. “He was an elusive boxer, and openings were difficult as he concentrated on his defence. The second fight on July 6th was my first six-rounder, when I boxed experienced Yorkshireman Jake Bray. I was happier with that performance as I showed that I can cope with longer bouts. Just four weeks ago, I'd boxed another tricky opponent in Grimsby's Tom Ramsden, who'd won just the week before. I kept him on the back foot and took every round comfortably, so I quickly got rid of any ring rust.”

Twenty-four-year-old Arkwright from Wavertree works part-time on the railway. The former student of St. Francis Xavier’s Catholic Academy started boxing aged ten at Salisbury ABC, following in the footsteps of a grandfather “who was a strong amateur and my main inspiration. I had a successful amateur career, winning 34 of my 45 bouts as well as multiple regional titles and twice reaching national semi-finals. I got a silver medal at the Monkstown Box Cup and only just lost the final to a European silver medallist.”

Middleweight Arkwright is now training at Kirkdale ABC with Stephen Harkin, JJ Cunningham, and Paul Davis. His professional licence was suspended for two years following what he describes as “a regrettable incident which led to a tough period in my life for my mental health, but which gave me time to develop physically and build up mental strength by being constantly in the gym.” Coach Harkin agrees, stating, “This is a big year for Sean, who’s moving on after a setback. There’s much more excitement to come in his boxing.”

Arkwright has now won all twenty-eight rounds of 

his professional contests on points, and he hopes his fans won't have to wait long to see him box again. "I want to stay busy now that I'm back in the game, and I'm grateful to Steve Wood for providing frequent opportunities." I’m hoping for another match before Christmas and next year to box for a central area title and an English title. Like any boxer I’d like to get stoppages. My ambition for my club is to see Everton at the top of the Premier League and me at the top of the British middleweight rankings.” Currently ranked 41st of 123 British middleweights by BoxRec, the sport’s international database, Arkwright has some way to go to topple Britain’s leading middleweight Mohammed Sheeraz from Essex and Arkwright’s senior by just a year.

Arkwright describes himself as a “sociable person whose other love is Everton Football Club. I also have a big fan base, which helps with selling tickets to fights, which all boxers at my level must do. I also need more sponsors. I’m deeply grateful to Gated Security, Rosscon Training Ltd., Laguna Clothing, Firm Builders, and Cheshire Drylining.”

photo courtesy of Robert David Photography

Individuals or companies considering offering sponsorship should contact Sean Arkwright on Instagram at seanarkwright7 or by e-mailing him at seanefc1878@gmail.com. If interested in boxing training at Kirkdale ABC contact Stephen Harkin on 07791 670887 or at kabc1@hotmail.co.uk .