Drumchapel boxer Gavin Stevenson fighting to prove he's a changed man following release from prison

Feb 2 2012 By Gordon Parks

GAVIN STEVENSON is desperate to turn his life around after being behind bars on three separate occasions.

But now, at the age of 35, the Drumchapel light-middleweight is pursuing a semi-professional boxing career with Glasgow's SK Boxing Promotions - and has not ruled out applying for a pro licence with the British Boxing Board of Control.

Stevenson is a changed man with a big help from girlfriend Natalie and young son Callum.

And he is striving to make up for lost time as he fights at Glasgow's Crowne Plaza on February 11 with thousands of pounds going to charity.

Stevenson said: "I just couldn't cope. I hit the bottle but I did wrong and I'm sorry for that and hoping for another chance.

"This is a big regret but I'm a changed man and I am back doing the thing I love.

"I was in prison three times when I was younger, I thought I was a gangster or something crazy like that.

"I got involved in the drink and made a general fool of myself. I am a changed man as I have a great girlfriend in Natalie and son of four-and-a-half, Callum.

"People can thinkwhat they want about me but I am so sorry for what I havedoneandwanttoput things right."

Stevenson was a top amateur and will be fighting four rounds at two minutes as a semi-professional, on shows said to be as explosive as any professional bill. Gavin, though, admits he'd relish the chance to turn pro.

Former WBO featherweight champion Scott Harrison - who served a sentence in a Spanish jail - was given back his licence by the BBBoC in December.

And Stevenson said: "I am just starting to put my life back together. I am 35 now and still have a lot to do in the ring.

"IhavebeenboxingsinceIwas a kid, it's the only thing I know.

"Don't get me wrong - if I was handed the chance to fight at professional level I'd take it.

"I have the ability but need regular fights to shed the ring rust before I can think about turning pro.

regular fights to shed the ring rust before I can think about turning pro.

"I want to show what I can do."

"I want to show what I can do."