Car salesman swaps showroom for boxing ring in bid to become next big star

A former car salesman has swapped his showroom for the boxing ring in a bid to become the next boxing champion.

Ashley Marron knew he wanted to be a professional boxer the second he stepped foot in a gym when he was just 10-years-old.

The 26-year-old, who lives in Prestwich, started training immediately after and had his first fight at the age of 11.

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The dad-of-one went on to win several regional titles before quitting to become a car salesman following the birth of his son – a shift in priorities leaving him questioning whether he would ever fight again.

But that was until he watched Tyson Fury win his comeback fight at Manchester Arena in June 2018 – inspiring him to get back in the ring.

“I watched the undercard and I thought, I could be on this stage for sure, I’m good enough,” Ashley told the Manchester Evening News. “The next week, I got back in the gym.”

Ashley went on to have 15 more amateur fights before eventually turning professional in March 2023, meaning he could leave his job at HPL Motors and box full time.

“When I was 10 and boxing in the gym for the first time, I came back home and told my dad I wanted to be a professional boxer,” Ashley told the MEN.

“He was laughing at me because it was just my first session. He was probably thinking it was just another phase. I told all my family I was going to be a professional boxer – somewhere inside of me, I just knew. I knew it was something I wanted to do forever.

“Throughout my amateur career, everything was pointing for me to turn professional.

“When I was a salesman, you have those tough days where it’s pouring down and you’re grafting away, knowing you had to go for a run at 6am then go training after work. I knew it would all pay off.”

So far in his professional career, the welterweight has won six out of six fights and has appeared on TV cards in the process.

Trained by Jon Kay and Jamie Carr at Boarshaw Boxing Club in Middleton, Ashley 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.

“Boxing is my passion,” Ashley added. “It’s my ambition to get to the point where I’ve maxed myself out and I’ve fulfilled all the possibilities of what I can do.

“I want to be in some big domestic fights and fight for some titles at the AO Arena.

“It’s not really about the titles for me, but obviously I do believe I’m capable of winning them. It’s about getting to the highest level I can.

“When I speak about it with other people, they say, ‘Can you believe it, you’re a professional boxer and you’ve done this and that,’ but as a kid professional boxing was all I talked about.

“It’s part of my life and I’m proud and happy to be here, but the job isn’t finished. There’s lots of work to do.”