I'm a car salesman by day but dream of being one of Manchester's next big fighters

Ash Marron may earn his living trying to flog motors but the dad-of-one is 12 months into his real dream - making it as a professional boxer. 

The welterweight has won six fights out of six in his first year in the paid ranks, appearing on TV cards in the process. Now the 26-year-old’s aim is to kick on even more having not conceded a single round since turning pro. 

“It’s been a whirlwind twelve months,’ Marron said. “I’ve enjoyed every moment of it. My last fight (at the start of March) was against the vastly experienced and tough Richard Helm. I’ve a lot of respect for him and he paid me the compliment of saying that I was about the best fighter he’s encountered. 

“I learned a lot from boxing him and indeed from all my fights. I’m enthusiastic now to make further progress and take on some of the harder boxers.”

The former lifeguard, who now works at HPL Motors, lives in Prestwich having been a former student of Westhoughton High School in Bolton. Trained by Jon Kay and Jamie Carr at Boarshaw Boxing Club in Middleton, Marron is living a childhood dream at the moment. 

“I had 45 amateur fights, winning about two-thirds,” he said. “Boxing is my great passion and I’d wanted to be a professional since I was 10. I love the training and the discipline. The professional game is a bit of a business, but we fighters are always passionate to produce a quality performance. 

“The onus is on me to sell fight tickets so I’m grateful to my loyal fanbase. I didn’t expect to sell more than 30 tickets but the highlight of my career was my debut when I stopped Daryl Pearce in the first round. It was broadcast live on DAZN and I’d sold 250 tickets. It’s humbling that so many support my boxing journey.”

Marron believes the key to some of his early success has been a different addition to his training. 

“I find value and benefit in meditation,” he said. “I spent 10 days at a silent meditation course called Vipassana last year prior to turning professional and meditated 11 hours a day. It was an intense experience which helped me develop useful tools to keep calm and balanced.”

Marron is sponsored by Price & Co. Sales & Lettings, Win-Door Fit, Red Rocket Couriers, Access Cleaning, Influx Clothing, JPH Electrical, SG Civil Engineering and The Farm Club.