David Brophy turns professional after injury nightmare

Feb 9 2011 by Colin Paterson, Airdrie & Coatbridge

David Brophy

CALDERCRUIX boxer David Brophy is gearing up for his professional debut a year after fearing his ring dream was over.

The 20-year-old will take on Leicester’s Costas Osben at the Wishaw Sports Centre on Friday, February 25.

The bout will complete Brophy’s remarkable recovery from a double leg-break suffered during a football match in January last year.

Former Dundee United youth team ace Brophy sustained the injury while playing for local amateur team Strathclyde Colts.

Doctors warned Brophy he faced a long road to rehabilitation and that he was unlikely to resume a career in professional sport.

But he fought back with the help of SFA physio Stevie McGill and is now desperate to floor Osben.

“My broken leg was meant to keep me out for life as it was a really bad one and broken in two places,” Brophy told Advertiser Sport.

“But I worked with Stevie, who is involved with the SFA, and I put coming back down to him. If it wasn’t for him, I’d still be limping about just now.

“The doctors said it’d be at least a year before I would be running again but I was out there within a few months. I was working with Stevie between two and three times a week. I had to learn how to walk and run properly but it’s all been worth it.”

Brophy will work out of the same Stepps gym as world champion Ricky Burns under the watchful eye of the highly-rated Billy Nelson.

“Billy is one of the best trainers in Britain at this time and has a world champion and a British champion at his club,” he added.

“It’s unbelievable for me to think about being in a gym like that.

“He took a look at me and said there were a lot of good points and bad points but everything will be worked on over the coming months.

“I’ve been good sparring with Stephen Simmons who is making his professional debut next month.

“He’s more experienced so I’ve been learning a lot from him.”

Brophy will fight at super-middleweight and feels Osben will provide a suitable first test.

“I’ve had to shed nearly a stone off to get to this weight but that’s me ready now and feeling really good,” he said.

“I’m looking forward to my professional debut. I just want to get in the ring and get that first win out of the way.”

Brophy is sponsored by JKS Promotions and Delletts Bar who are selling tickets for the fight later this month and running a bus to Ricky Burns’ world title clash with Joseph Laryea on March 12.