New Rocky film Creed and Tony Bellew stir Sky Scholar and boxer Jack Bateson
Friday 24 March 2017 12:34, UK
The new year has started with a bang for Jack Bateson with tough sessions in the gym and VIP treatment for the European film premiere of Creed in London.
It was a deserved break for the Sky Academy Sports Scholar, who prepared for a busy few weeks in the ring by heading to Leicester Square and rubbing shoulders with guest actor and fellow boxer Tony Bellew and Golden Globe winner Sylvester Stallone.
Creed is the latest in the long-running Rocky franchise and it turns out the 21-year-old Bateson is a big fan and gets fired up by listening to the famous theme tune on his headphones when training.
Here's Jack's thoughts on the movie and what he's been up to at the start of a very important year...
This could be the biggest and most important year of my life and I started it where I left off in 2015 by training hard and keeping myself in shape.
I was back in Sheffield recently for squad training and I sat down with my coaches and discussed the goals for the next few months. I will be fighting in the Bocskai tournament in Hungary in February and this will be my first tournament of the year and I'm aiming to impress.
I'll then be boxing in the Strandja tournament in Bulgaria. I boxed there last year and won a silver medal. I am looking to go one better and pick up that gold I was denied in 2015.
The World Series of Boxing season has come around again and it will be another exciting part of my year as I travel the world and look to pick up some good wins for the British Lion hearts Team.
I am scheduled to box in Mexico on April 2 against the Mexico Guerreros. The Mexicans are a strong team so taking it to them in their home town is something I'll train hard for and really look forward to.
VIP treatment
Last week I was invited to the premiere of the latest Rocky film 'Creed'. The whole experience was amazing and it was hard not to feel out of place being around so many big names and stars that you will only usually see on TV.
I'm a massive Rocky fan. I grew up watching the Rocky films and would always watch them before I had a fight of my own.
I used to stay up late and go through the box set. It would get me motivated to go and do the business. I think every boxer as a kid wanted to be like Rocky and although the films weren't real, they felt it. Even to this day when I'm out running and the Rocky tune comes on, I get pumped and the fists start flying. The people driving past must think I'm nuts!
Arriving at the premiere it was great to catch up with the Sky Boxing team, my mentor Johnny Nelson and some familiar faces from in and around the fight scene.
When I sat down to watch the film, I found myself sat next to world bantamweight champion Jamie McDonnell and the British and European champion (Jamie's twin brother) Gavin. It was my first time meeting the pair and they're not just world class fighters, but great people too.
The film itself was amazing and really lived up to the Rocky films. The story shows how boxing can bring people together and how the sport can change your life around.
As a boxer, you can relate to the film and understand the story. Michael B Jordan who plays Adonis (Apollo Creed's son) has a great part and you can see he's worked hard in the gym and has learnt to box. As a boxer, that's important to see because if you know the game well, then it can be hard on the eye if someone has seriously bad technique.
Tony Bellew plays a great part in the film and looks like he could have a serious career in acting alongside his successful boxing career.
It's inspiring to see another boxer representing the UK on the big screen in such a big film. Not many boxers get the opportunity to star in a Rocky film and again this shows what opportunities boxing can bring.
Work hard and good things will happen! You never know.
WHAT'S COMING UP FOR OUR SCHOLARS
JAN: Lucy Garner, in Australia for start of season
JAN 22-24: Elise Christie, European speed skating championships, Sochi
JAN 23-30: Savannah Marshall, training camp in USA
JAN: Mark English, winter training in South Africa
FEB 3-5: Jack Bateson, Bocskai tournament, Hungary
The British Lionhearts return to action in World Series of Boxing Season VI with three exciting fixtures at London's legendary York Hall. See them in action against Mexico Guerreros, USA Knockouts and Morocco Atlas Lions.
As time runs out to gain qualification for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, expect fireworks from each and every bout! Fixtures consist of 5 x 3-minute rounds per bout - that's 2 hours of action packed into one evening of explosive entertainment!
Tickets available now through Sky Tickets, with no booking fees.
