Tuesday 20 October 2015 19:21, UK
Dean Byrne fights for the Irish welterweight title on November 7 grateful to be rebuilding a career from the ruins of gambling addiction.
In 2007, Byrne was a Wild Card fighter and earmarked by legendary trainer Freddie Roach as a future world champion. Three years later, things looked on track as 'Irish Lightning' moved to Britain with a 14-0 record.
But outside the ring things were starting to go pear-shaped amid contract disputes, and as the gambling spiralled beyond control performances began to fall apart inside it.
On October 21, 2011, a 27-year-old Byrne tipped the scales at 140lbs and comfortably outclassed Michael Frontin at York Hall. Just one week later, financial necessity meant he was back in action filling in for Frankie Gavin.
In the days after beating Frontin, Byrne had gorged on gambling, alcohol and takeaways. Ahead of facing Frank Haroche Horta, he boiled a lot of it off yet weighed-in at nearly 151lbs. He went on to suffer the first professional defeat of his career.
He told Sky Sports: "For the Horta fight, I had to lose a lot of weight and I was shadow-boxing with sweat pouring. I worked so hard to get back in fighting shape towards the end of that week. I never told anyone my situation - I just needed the money because I was gambling heavily.
"There was weight on my shoulders coming here after Freddie Roach saying I'd be a world champion and after a while I got to such a low point, I was stood there with holes in my shoes shaking the change out of my kids' piggy banks."
There were chinks of light in the dark that followed - in December 2012 Byrne nearly wrecked the Kell Brook v Carson Jones rematch when he drew with the American in a fight many thought he'd won - but it's been an uphill struggle to get here.
Byrne knows the exact date he last gambled. August 13, 2014. With his shot at a vacant national title against Peter McDonagh now secured, the man from Crumlin is able to reflect on the dark times in the hope it serves as a cautionary tale.
"Addiction is a powerful disease and I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy - whether it's drink, drugs or gambling. I think gambling is the worst because people can't really see it on the outside," Byrne added.
"I've been in rehabilitation for over four years and right now is the longest I've ever been without gambling. I chair some of the meetings these days and the newcomers are the most important ones in the room."
Victory in Dublin would complete a remarkable turnaround for Byrne, who is now settled in Bethnal Green and has benefited from the wisdom of trainer Peter Sims for the past 12 months.
The 31-year-old added: "To lift the Irish title for me would be a dream come true. Pride lasts forever but I'm not going to let my emotions get in the way - I'm training to box to my trainer's orders, make the fight easy and pick up the belt.
"I could let how much it means get the better of me and box with my heart but I'm a bit smarter than I was. This is the right time for me now. After I win it, it'll open up some doors and I just want to be a busy fighter now."
Sims says of the most experienced campaigner in his gym: "The problems in his personal life spilled in to his career and he always took fights at short notice. He's straightened out now and we'll be looking at a European title shot after this."
