A Salford-born boxer is set to return to the ring, after years of substance addiction and mental health struggles.
Jayden Pennington, who is 22 years old, will make his return at The Lighthouse on the 5th December as a part of Platinum Promotions’ show and is unbeaten in all four of his fights. Speaking exclusively to Salford Now, he was keen to highlight how good it was to be back and completely clean from drug and alcohol abuse:
“I’ve always had a love for boxing, it was my Granddad who took me to my first boxing session with my mates, and ever since then it’s been one of those sports that i just keep going back to,” he said.
“It’s a totally different feeling, this time it feels different to any other time. I think it’s because of how low of a place I was in, so coming back and feeling on the highest of highs again with mental health and being involved in training it’s a brilliant place to be in for the mind and I am so happy to be back and fighting.”
Pennington has three victories from technical knockouts and one decision victory. When asked about how he felt during the period of time where he was dealing with addiction, he was keen to highlight the negative impact it initially had on his life, but also how he managed to get back into the sport:
“When it comes to drug and alcohol abuse it affects relationships, it affects family relationships it has an impact on pretty much everything about daily life.
“It’s just the fact that it’s an addiction and it just takes over your life. It affected boxing to the fact I have not trained or fought in 2 and a half years.”
Jayden says he approached the promoter ‘on the off-chance’ they were looking for fighters.
“I shared my story, told them I wanted to fight and they came back to me within minutes saying they wanted me to be on the show in December! That’s it now, fight camp has started and we are preparing for anything on the day in two months time.”
Additionally, when asked about his advice to others who may be going through the issues with substances that he faced, he was fixed on how focusing on one thing he loved played a significant part in helping him get to where he is today:
“It’s not easy and I’ll admit that. However if you want to come out of addiction you’ll end up finding something you love and end up sticking to it. My advice to anyone going through addiction now would be just to find something that you love, stick to doing it and stick with your gut feeling”
“On the night it will be win, lose or draw. But at the end of the day I’ve already won, because I am going back to doing what I love.”
• You can listen to the full interview below, as Jayden Pennington further discusses his upcoming fight and his love for boxing, as well as recovering from substance addiction here.
