Bobby Cairns: Doncaster boxer undergoes body transformation to fulfil dream of turning pro

Bobby Cairns, from Wheatley, has lost eight stone since 2020 – and joined a long list of fighters whose lives have been turned around thanks to the sport.

The 25-year-old super-middleweight will make his professional debut at Doncaster Dome on Friday night, when he will weigh a trim 12 stone 5 pounds.

Dad-of-one Bobby said: “I was a bit miserable and depressed, then I had my daughter (Alaina, two) and she gave me a new lease of life.

“I just feel like myself again. My missus (Georgina) says I am a positive and nice person again. Before, she was walking on eggshells all the time.”

Bobby boxed as a teenager, winning two Yorkshire titles, but admitted to feeling too embarrassed to leave his house after he ballooned to almost 21 stone in weight.

A chance message from Conisbrough heavyweight Dave Allen – an old friend who is now training and managing fighters while plotting his own comeback – was the spark needed to get him back in the ring last year to continue his turnaround.

Bobby said: “Dave’s said I’ve always flirted with boxing. He’s always stuck by me, I assume he sees something in me I never did.

"I never used to believe in myself. I was always in and out of the sport, messing about, and never thought I would be good enough.

"As a teenager I was scared to give it my all because I was scared of failing.”

Now, older and wiser, Bobby’s outlook is different.

He said: “It’s better to do it now and fail than to always live with that thought of ‘what if?’.

"You have only got one life and opportunities like this don’t come around very often.

"I’m absolutely buzzing. It has been my dream to be a professional fighter since I was four years old watching Rocky box sets on repeat.”

When the going got tough under experienced trainer Ian Allcock, Bobby, who balances training with a full-time job refurbishing substation equipment, took inspiration from Alaina.

”I want to be the best I can for her,” he said.

"Hopefully I can do something in boxing, make her proud, earn a few quid and live a good life.”