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Prospects

Prizefighter winner Chris Jenkins has set his sights on a shot at the British light-welterweight title

Chris Jenkins drops to his knees after winning Prizefighter - light-welterweights III at the York Hall in Bethnal Green (Photo courtesy of Lawrence Lustig)
Image: Chris Jenkins: Has bigger aims following Prizefighter victory (Photo courtesy of Lawrence Lustig)

Chris Jenkins hopes that his spot on the undercard of Ricky Burns' next world title defence on Saturday week is the first step to a British title shot in the next 12 to 18 months.

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And studying in sports physiotherapy does have its benefits. "I've been doing sports physiotherapy since I was 18 so I know when something's wrong, when I've got a niggle for example. I know what's going on with my body. I know when to slow down and when to pick up the training so that's one of the advantages from my job that I do." Jenkins, born in Swansea, is aware of Wales' boxing's achievements, specifically since Joe Calzaghe won his first world title in 1997.
Welsh pride
After Nathan Cleverly and Gary Buckland's recent defeats, Jenkins hopes that the likes of he, Lewis Rees and Lee Selby can give Welsh voices something else to cheer about in the months and years to come. Speaking about the future for Welsh boxing, Jenkins said: "It's just down to that individual person and if they want to train hard and really make something of their life. "You've got some good lads in front of me, [Darren] Hamilton's still British champion obviously and I have a little gander here and there at what's going on above me," Jenkins said. "The boys who are above me have had more fights but after winning Prizefighter there's been a boost for me in many ways. I'm happy where I am but I can't wait to get the chance to fight these boys because that's the way it's going." By day, Jenkins is focused on becoming a fully qualified sports physiotherapist - a goal that's been assisted by helping out a local rugby team. Having something to fall back on is vitally important to Jenkins in case all things boxing do not work out. But he admits that by next year the aim is turn full-time and attempt to emulate the great boxing feats achieved by some of his countrymen. "Well I'd love to turn full-time straight away but as you're coming through the rankings you have to work your way through to physically fund yourself but I'm lucky now that I've got sponsors for things like my kit and my brain scans." "Calzaghe was the best. Selby's on the scene. Buckland lost but we've got a few lads out there who can make it. Me personally, I've tried to make something of my life and I'm good at what I do so why not keep going and hopefully one day I'll become a great boxer or at least someone who gave it their best. "I want to make it, I've got my targets and as soon as I reach them I'll move on to the next. I'd love to be the next Joe Calzaghe, I'd love to be the next Floyd Mayweather but I'm a bit far away from that!"

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