Friday 8 September 2017 21:20, UK
Despite a dominant display in his first pro fight, Jack Bateson still wouldn't stand a chance against his dad in the ring!
It's a bullish prediction from Bateson senior himself, but having nurtured the former Sky Sports Scholar since he was 11 - in and out of the ring - you can understand some inside knowledge of such a mis-match!
"I wouldn't want to be beaten by an eight-stoner," Mark Bateson joked about the unlikely prospect of boxing his son!
"He's half my size! I'm a 16-stone bloke. He'd land a few fast shots but hopefully I could take him and I'd like to think I'd be too heavy and too strong for him.
"He'd give me a good run though and that's what I'd like to see."
It's been a lively year for Team Bateson who have overcome the misery of Jack missing out on the Rio Olympics, niggling injuries and the transition into the paid ranks.
It was an impressive debut at the start of September for the 23-year-old flyweight who also said goodbye to Sky after four years of support as a Scholar.
"Nervous, anxious but confident." That's how Mark describes his feelings when his son first walked out as a professional in front of his home fans at Leeds United's Banqueting Suite at Elland Road.
Bateson senior, an ex-fighter turned promoter and trainer, has enjoyed seeing many of his apprentices rise through the ranks over 14 years, but having Jack on his undercard and being ringside for his opening win against teenage Hungarian Zsolt Sarkozi was quite a moment.
"I was actually very emotional," Mark said. "I've trained him since he started boxing at 11. I've seen him win national titles and fight all around the world for Team GB.
"He had a fantastic amateur pedigree but he's a different animal now and a different athlete and it was such an amazing feeling on the night.
"I was actually very confident watching him box - confident and nervous. I knew he'd do the job and was very happy with his performance. He did everything I asked him to do and did much better than I thought - he was brilliant."
Boxing surges through the veins of the Bateson family. Mark's father and uncle were huge fans of the sport, while his twin brother Martin and himself now train a stable of fighters in their home town.
So what is it like now with full control of his son's career inside and outside of the ropes?
Mark, whose older son Tom was also a boxer, said: "All my fighters are treated the same. I'm not more protective of Jack - it's actually the opposite.
"We have plenty of arguments which all fathers and sons do - that's why my brother is his main coach! But when we work together we really gel. There are disputes but it has brought us closer the more time we spend with each other.
"Jack is a great trainer though. I'm really happy with what he's doing and that's all I can ask for.
"I don't see him any different from any of the other boxers and I've got full confidence in him."
Jack had over 100 amateur fights, won a European bronze medal, two ABA titles and had five years in the GB squad. One of his biggest challenges has been dealing with the disappointment of not making the 2016 Rio Games. It was tough for the whole family.
"He was gutted," Mark added. "I could see how upset he was and that was upsetting for me.
"He had done five years in a GB vest, he missed out on an Olympics and he didn't want to wait another four years for Tokyo and be pipped again.
"He turned to me after his last fight and said he'd done everything he wanted to in the amateurs and he wanted to go pro. It's a shame he didn't get to Rio but he's moved on and let's hope he can turn it around in the pro game.
"It wasn't my choice for him to go pro though. I've never encouraged anyone. They turn pro when they know the time is right. But nothing is guaranteed. Sometimes I wish I never got him into the sport because you have ups and you're on top of the world and when you have downs you are left absolutely gutted.
"The one thing about Jack is that he brushes himself off, gets off the floor and moves forward. He's been all over the world, had fantastic experiences, boxed the best, fought an Olympic champion twice and he's had hard times. But I'm very happy with how he's performing and how he's moving forward."
As well as Team Bateson guiding his fortunes, Mark paid tribute to the efforts of Sky, who helped back Jack from 2012 through funding, media coaching, mentoring and lots of other developmental support.
"Being a Scholar has been fantastic for Jack," he said. "What Sky has done for him is unbelievable. The money, support, media work, tuition, the extra gym work and sparring has all been amazing.
"It's such a great platform to get recognised. It's just been a great thing to do for him and for all the new Scholars on the next programme - the world really is your oyster."
Watch out for news of our new batch of Sky Sports Scholars later in September
