October 8th 2016
Fighter Profile
Name – Luke Milligan
Nickname – Lukey Boy
Weight – 62kg (136 pounds)
Record – 1 win 0 losses
Team – Independent
Where are you from ?
I come from a little place called Botley in the city of Oxford England.
How long have you been training ?
I’ve been training now for 7 years .
How did you get into Boxing ?
I went along to the boxing gym one day and never stopped going as I thought I had finally found a sport where the coach would take me seriously.
Can you tell us about your nickname and how you got it ?
My nickname has just come from my friends and just always stuck it kinda rolls off the tongue now everyone calls me Lukey Boy.
What was the defining moment when you knew you wanted to be a fighter ?
I knew I wanted to fight from the moment I started sparring my main aim was to show the world of boxing what could be achieved and was one day hoping for a shot at the Olympics but my physical disability was frowned upon who knows why as Oscar Pistorius got his shot with able-bodied athletes all these knock backs have just made me more determined to show the world what us disabled (hate that word) athletes really can do. I think it’s the fear that top able athletes are gonna feel embarrassed if they are beat by someone less able than them.
Were your family and friends supportive when you decided to enter the world of MMA ?
My family fully support me in everything I do especially the boxing and I know my dearly departed mum would be 100% proud of her son for showcasing the skills that disabled people can have if they work hard as she was so proud of everything I have overcome in my life.
What is your current record ?
My current record is officially very small I have only had one international fight against an Italian Dario Eclarano who also wore a prosthetic leg.which I won on points this can be seen on my Facebook page if you wanna check it out.
Who or what is your biggest inspiration ?
I don’t really have an inspiration but one man who never ceases to amaze me in the boxing world is Manny Pacquiao his generosity to his country and his people is brilliant he is a man that fights for his people and that’s how I would like to be portrayed as helping people just like me to achieve their dreams .
What team do you train with ?
I don’t train with a team just me spit saw dust and my coach.
Are you more of an offensive or defensive boxer ?
I like a good toe to toe smash-up until they go down.
What does being a fighter mean to you ?
it means the world to me being a fighter I been fighting since I came into this world and never stopped and I intend to fight to the grave why give up something you have been doing all your life.
You are an adaptive athlete can you explain for those that do not know what that means ?
Adaptive athlete is a label I’m an athlete full stop I don’t do labels my family and friends have never treated me any different from anyone else but the label just means we have adaptations to help us to move like able-bodied athletes such as prosthetic limbs and specially designed wheelchairs for the guys who wheelchair box.
What does being able to compete and live your dream mean to you ?
competing and being taken seriously means everything to me and a lot of the other guys within the ABO adaptive boxing organization.
What are your thoughts on the Adaptive boxing Organization and the work they are doing for adaptive athletes ?
I would love to hold a title one day and also help the younger adaptive generation to achieve their goals and dreams alongside the great man Colin S Wood if it wasn’t for Colin making the ABO possible none of us would get a shot at the sport we love so much.
What weight do you fight at ?
I fight at 62kg lightweight.
What separates you from other fighters ?
As I have 2 prosthetic legs I think that separates me enough but I feel as though I should be fighting able-bodied athletes as I always have sparred with them and feel at an advantage when fighting someone the same as me.
If you could have one dream fight who would it be against ?
If I was big enough I would love to fight Anthony Joshua I think he is gonna be the next greatest so move over and make space Muhammad Ali hahaha.
What is your mindset going into fight night ?
I just think the same as every fighter I think or hope to destroy my Opponent you’re not there to make friends that guy wants to smash your face in I think of the pain I’ve endured all my life and use it like a wrecking machine.
When are you fighting next ?
I fight next at Clapham Grand Theatre in London on the under card of the famous Guv’nor Title held by the late Lenny Mclean where Derek Decca The Machine Heggie takes on Julius Francis who made fame when he fought Iron Mike Tyson.
Who are you fighting ?
I am fighting a fellow amputee Bryan Leaver who has had 2 bouts and who also does bjj.
What holes or weaknesses will yu be looking to exploit when you step into the ring with your opponent ?
I haven’t had much insight into my opponent but I don’t really do all the weighing up till I get in the ring and take the first of their shots then I know what I’m dealing with and change my tactics to suit.
Date and time of your next fight ?
The fight is on 16th of October at Clapham Grand Theatre London and all proceeds go to Frankies Wish Foundation it will be a great night of proper charity boxing.
What do you want people to remember you for at the end of your career ?
I would love to be remembered as the guy who brought boxing to the Paralympics if not for me for the younger generation to help people make their dreams of having a gold medal for their country come true and of course one of the hardest men with no legs in the ring hahahaha.
What is your favorite quote or motto ?
My favourite quote speech is from Rocky Balboa, life ain’t all sunshine and rainbows it will beat you down if you let it sums up my life in an instant life can beat you up you just have to beat it back until it’s begging for mercy.
Who has been your biggest inspiration ?
My coach is my main influence what ever he tells me I do not question. Also Colin S Wood for making it all possible for chaps like me.
Where do you see Boxing on 5 years ?
The sport of boxing has taken off big in the last few years which has opened it up to so much corruption fighters like amir Khan Anthony Joshua true fighters that have come from amateur fights right to the top.Their who I look up to the guys that’s have pushed their way all the way from the bottom to the top.
How would you describe your fighting style ?
My fighting style I don’t have a set fighting style but if I did it would be much the same as Mike Tyson inside heavy hitter as I’m quite a small chap guys of my weight can be a lot longer in the arm for me which can be a problem at distance.
What motivates you to step in the ring and compete ?
pain is my motivation no pain no gain.
What is something people might not know about you ?
people may not know that when I was young I was dubbed the bravest boy in Britain by various media I even met the prime minister Margaret Thatcher who presented me with a Daily Star gold award also I appeared on TV on Good Morning Britain.
When you are not training what do you enjoy doing in your free time ?
When I’m not in training I’m spending time with my wife and currently studying to be a hairdresser at college so my life can be quite hectic at time.
What advice can you give to young fighters ?
My word to all young fighter adaptive or not do what makes you happy there’s nothing better in this world than happiness.
What do you think you would be doing today if you had not becomes a fighter ?
Not sure what I would be doing if I wasn’t fighting probably not much as I’ve always liked combat sports.
What gets you ready on fight night do you have any rituals that help prepare you to get in the ring ?
a can of monster and some really violent music always gets me pumped but always nervous until zero hour.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years ?
As I’m already 34 I don’t have many years left in boxing but I will take myself to the breaking point.We will see I hope to hold some kind of title or at least have something to show for it.In 5 years I hope to have my own hairdressers and barbers shop hopefully.
Is there anyone you would like to thank ?
I would like to say a massive thanks to my coach Mick Ryce as if it wasn’t for his confidence in me and his training I would not be where I am today also a massive massive thank you to my wife Charlotte for being by my side all the way through my fighting and being proud of what I’ve achieved also for putting up with me complaining about injuries lol. Big up Sunningwell Boxing Club all you boys accept me for who I am and help me to train better and harder. Two men I definitely can not forget are long John silver and Colin S Wood if it was not for these guys we might of never got the chance to compete at this level love you chaps your THE GREATEST ABO for life the brotherhood of gentlemen and warriors .
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