Shaw boxing hopeful Rafferty gears up for a hectic 2024

Shaw boxing prospect Tom Rafferty

Shaw professional boxer Tom Rafferty is excited for 2024, describing it as ‘the busiest of years’ with as many as five contests potentially lined up.

Power puncher Rafferty is convinced 2024 will establish him as a contender for area title fights later in the year.

Undefeated Rafferty, aged 26, has his 11th match in the paid ranks on Saturday week, February 17, on Pat Barrett’s Black Flash Promotions show at Manchester’s Bowlers Exhibition Centre themed as 'Kings of the Ring'.

"This will be my fifth six-round bout," said Rafferty, "and hopefully it won’t be long before I step up to eight and then ten round fights and eventually the gruelling 12-rounder that every boxer craves."

In his last bout in December Rafferty, who is father to two young sons, obtained a points victory in what pundits described as an ‘exciting and enthralling’ six-rounder against entertaining Mexican Fernando Valencia.

Like all professional boxers who haven’t yet become at least nationally known, Rafferty faces the challenge of selling tickets to each bout.

"I’m so grateful to my sponsors and to my local supporters who turn out for me each time," he added.

"I’m just keeping my head down, working hard constantly dedicated to the sport and doing whatever it takes to reach the top of the middleweight division."

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