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Rfn Loveday has already been singled out as a rising star by coach and manager Chris Firth, who has trained three world champions, including Robin Reid and David Burke. From a young age he always had one of two careers in mind, with boxing his real passion, and he dreamed of a professional career. But he also yearned for a career in the Army and while still at school he attended a recruiting day for the Army where he found he could have both.
So he joined up at the age of 16 and attended the Army Foundation College at Harrogate before joining the then 1st Battalion The Royal Green Jackets, now the 2nd Battalion The Rifles. His current role is that of Battalion Physical Training Instructor (PTI):
"Since joining the Army I have had all the support I need to carry on my boxing career," he said. "It's great that I can do the two things that I am most passionate about at the same time. Being the Battalion PTI means that I can combine helping others stay fit along with my own training regime."
Rfn Loveday wants to encourage other young men and women with a keen sporting interest and talent to think about joining the forces:
"I would hope at some stage of my military career to join our recruiting team. I have had such good experiences myself that I think other young people should know of the opportunities within the forces."
As an amateur boxer Rfn Loveday was the Schools Amateur Boxing Association National Champion. He attended Cadet 4 Nations in 2002 and 2004 and represented England at the Junior Olympics in the USA in 2003:
"I have had such a good time and met so many people through my boxing, at the Junior Olympics I shared a room with Amir Khan. He was a great bloke and we got on really well. I hope we will catch up again now that I will be on the professional side of things.
"I am really looking forward to my first professional bout. I have great support from the guys at work and there is a busload coming over from Northern Ireland to support me; I am sure the rest will catch it on the box. It's like having a really big extended family and that's great for Lyndsey too."
John enjoys a lot of support and encouragement from his dad, as well as wife Lyndsey and their three children. He is currently based with his Battalion at the Ballykinler base in Northern Ireland. So far in his military career John has served in Kosovo and Iraq:
"My dad will be with me on the night but my wife and kids will be with the other families in Ballykinler; my son is a bit young yet to come to a bout but he likes to hear all about it."
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