By James Howard

Throw a pebble into a pond and along with the splash and accompanying plunk you may see concentric circles rippling out from the locus point of where the pebble struck the water.  The North East of England is currently experiencing such a ripple effect as Olympic Bronze medalist Tony Jeffries spearheads the rebirth and revolution of boxing in the region.  One such beneficiary is South Shields prospect, and new Frank Maloney, signing Chris Mullen, 5-1 (2) as a pro.

I first spoke to Chris a couple of years ago; when as a hungry up and coming boxer he had notched up a couple of wins in his first two bouts.  Soon after the interview, Chris went on to fight the then unbeaten Scott Sandman, a fight where someone’s 0 had to go.  The straight-talking fighter overcame that challenge and was then scheduled in for a bout with another unbeaten man in Scott Millar.  Unfortunately, Chris came out on the sore end of a 58-56 decision.

I asked the welterweight what had happened on that night in the Temple Park Centre, South Shields.  “It was a devastating loss for me,” offered Mullen before expanding.  “We have reasons rather than excuses for the loss and that is without taking credit from Scott as he deserved the win, a true warrior with an iron will.

“Short notice leading to weight control issues killed my performance but I fought to the last breath.  That was a bad match for the both of us so early on in our careers and I believe that good notice and longer rounds would result in a title fight of some sort not to miss!  I would be confident of victory next time round.”

However demoralising it may seem at the time, a loss in a young fighter’s career is not the end of the world.  Dusting himself off, Mullen quickly learned his lessons and implemented changes to the team’s approach to fight night.

“There have been big changes in our preparation,” he explained.  “We now have a nutritionist on board and a strength/conditioning guru who is pushing me and helping get me into the best condition I've ever been in.  We are also training more and with more intensity. Although I’d rather not have it, that loss has been a kick in the right place; it has really brought me on.  I don't intend on losing again anytime soon.”

Chris won by TKO when returning in March 2008 against Matt Seawright, he enjoyed being back in the ring. 

“The fight only lasted 2 rounds. I was just warming into the fight and it was over.  I believe that my performance was far from my best as I was quite wild and got excited.  I was probably a little too eager to get that win I hungered for.  I took confidence from the win though which I guess is all that matters.”

Minor injuries, lack of available fights, and the incorrect timing of the couple of opportunities that were available forced Chris' career to stutter, twelve months passed without any activity.  The fighter reflected positively on this time out, despite the obvious frustration.

“I think that the break has done me a world of good.  For 14 years I’ve trained and because I have such a competitive personality, I took the sport so seriously from a young age. I feel that I have had the break I needed and now have my sights set on at least a British title.”

The initial step towards that goal was to make the transition from small hall venues to larger arenas with Sky TV broadcasting.  There isn’t hesitation in the South Shields mans mind as to whom the sudden interest in the area can be attributed.

“Tony [Jeffries] has been a blessing,” he confirmed.  “He has brought boxing to the North East again and I think in a year or two it will be booming up here.  We have some real talent coming through. Tony is bringing huge interest to Sunderland and is delivering. He has a lot more to offer and when he grows into the pro style he is adopting, I believe he will lift a title.

“If it weren't for Tony, I wouldn't have got to meet Frank Maloney when I did.  I now have a three year deal in place with Frank and I am grateful for the opportunity he has given me.  Now it’s down to me to deliver the goods - which I know I will do.  Frank will keep me busy and give me the regular fights I need to bring me on.”

At about nine-thirty last Friday evening and just before the main event of the evening between Lee Haskins and Ross Burkinshaw, Chris got his chance.

“I was anxious to get in there.  First time in a year and also the fact it was the first time I had fought three minute rounds.  It was the first time I fought in front of the cameras too and such a big crowd so I was buzzing as well as being very nervous.  I take a good number of people along with me and although it is great to have the support, it can be pressurising.

“I felt very relaxed in there and made sure to keep my composure.  I've had the habit in the past of getting a bit too excited and end up brawling my way through (fights).  I wasn't out there on Friday to go looking for the big KO but to gain valuable experience from it, which I did.  I felt I boxed well and kept it together.  Maybe there were times where I did get a bit too relaxed but there wasn't a part of the fight where I didn't feel in control.”

Taking every round against Kristian Laight, a man who has been stopped only 3 times in 73 fights, Mullen was reasonably pleased with how the night played out.

“I was happy with my performance on Friday.  It was 4 good rounds under my belt, which is valuable.  Although Kristian doesn't win many, he is a tough guy who keeps himself in good condition.  He doesn't roll over for anyone.  I think my timing was a little out and there were times where I felt I could have pushed on a bit more.  Maybe that was down to rust?"

The Mal Gates managed fighter steers clear of alcohol, so he instead celebrated the win with friends and family, a few slices of pizza and full sugar Coca-Cola.  Can we expect more activity over the next twelve months for the popular youngster?

“I hope to get five fights in the year from Friday gone.  I'm unsure where or when my next outing will be or who I may face but one think I do know is that I will be ready for it.  I want to get five victories while building up the rounds, hopefully looking towards a title of some sort next year.  I am optimistic but you have to be in boxing. If there is no ambition, there is no chance!”

The driven welterweight summarised his professional career to date.  “I have had three quiet years in boxing but that will change! I believe I can achieve so much and now I have some great people around me to help me do it.  I'm not going to look back in regret in the years to come as I will give everything to the sport.”

We will watch with interest as Chris attempts to establish his own ripple effect, in the hope of winning titles and consequently opening doors for next generation of the fighters from the North-East of England.