Middleton boxer Kai Gale is looking forward to his first professional bout on a show at Wakefield’s DIY Kitchens Stadium on Saturday 12 July 2025 and wants to be seen as “first and foremost representing South Leeds.”
Former Rodillian School pupil Gale recently completed four years in the Royal Engineers where he was selected for the Army boxing team which allowed him to concentrate almost exclusively on the sport.
“I did some training as a teenager,” said Gale, “had a few bouts but really got into it as a soldier and now’s the right time to turn professional. I’ve matured. I can discipline myself with the training. This is the perfect time.”
Gale is the son of former light heavyweight Michael Gale who won 21 of 26 professional bouts in the 1990s.
“I was in and out of the sport as a child but didn’t have a bout until I was in my mid- teens. In total I have won twelve matches and lost just one. My story’s the same as for many lads. I could’ve gone down the wrong path. Boxing saved me. In the present climate with increasing knife crime young people should be encouraged to sort out issues in the controlled atmosphere of the boxing ring and better still concentrate on a sport which stops trouble starting in the first place. I’d be happy to be a role model who shows the benefits of boxing.”
Michael Marsden both coaches and manages Gale from his Rothwell gym, ‘Bodymania’.
“It’s about a 10k run there and back most days,” explained Gale, “so that deals with the running part of training, roadwork as boxers call it. I’m doing lots of strength and conditioning work and high intensity sparring as preparation. My professional debut will be my longest match yet with four three-minute rounds. Like all boxers starting out my ambition is a twelve round championship fight, the ultimate test of skill, endurance and courage. This year I’ll be happy with two bouts, maybe three. In my debut I want to show that I’ve mastered the fundamentals and can box to my full ability.”
All elite athletes need to develop a fanbase.
“I’m hoping that I’ll sell eighty tickets to the fight. I’m a friendly person who likes chatting to people and I’m keen to represent Middleton. As far as I’m aware I’m the only active professional boxer in South Leeds. I’m grateful to Tony Exley of Tex Services in Leeds for his company’s sponsorship. I’d be grateful for more sponsors and if interested please message me on Facebook or e-mail kaigale1234@gmail.com.”
This post was written by James Bovington
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