I HAVE QUITE a good sixth sense when I meet athletes for the first time and usually gauge within a short conversation their character. Charlie has a self-effacing characteristic that has dealt with the disappointment of defeat and turned it into a lesson. According to Former Olympics Coach James Michael Lafferty, ‘The difference between a Winner and a Champion is that the winner wins occasionally while champion wins with consistency.’
Who is Charlie Duffield outside of boxing?
More than anything, I am a doting dad to my two girls, Lillianne and Robin. My girls are 2 years old and 8 weeks old. I am very much a family man and always have been, even before I was a dad and a husband. I come from a big family, I have eight siblings and both my parents come from big families too. I’m also a personal trainer and fit my clients in around my boxing training and commitments, as that takes priority for me.
How did you get into boxing?
When I was about 10, my dad, Charles, took me to West Ham ABC, apparently, this was a desperate bid to get me on a better path and disciplined. It worked! I loved it from the minute I stepped in there and within a few months, I already had my first fight lined up. I remember that feeling still, I couldn’t wait to fight, and it went from there.
How well did you do in the amateurs?
I only lost a handful of fights, I got to two NABC finals and won the Schoolboys at 16. I then fell out of the sport a bit because I hated the dieting and felt like I was missing out when it came to my friends. I regret not sticking with it as I believe I would’ve progressed and got the recognition I was fighting for. It would’ve kept me on the straight and narrow and stopped me making some stupid decisions. But everything happens for a reason and I can’t change that now.
Who was your boxing hero growing up and why?
I’d say Rocky Marciano. I’ve idolised the man since first watching one of his fights. I love his fighting style and it goes without saying the great Mohammed Ali is an idol. I didn’t actually watch much boxing growing up, it was later in life I took more of an interest and it’s probably what gave me my passion back for it.
About Mental Health?
I’ve had to overcome my own demons and get over my brother Dean taking his own life. I was a gambling addict, and my life was spiralling out of control, but my brother was my priority. I didn’t know how much he was hurting, because he hid it pretty well. I used to ring him up sometimes, ‘Yeah, I’m not too bad.’ But deep down he was hurting. But he didn’t show it and he hid it from us just as I did with my gambling so people never knew what I was going through. It’s only you that can help yourself, no matter what someone tells you and how much someone helps you. If you don’t want to help yourself, it’s not going to happen.
How did you overcome your addiction?
My wife, Carly, discovered unaccounted finances disappearing. I was saving money and then I would spend it. So I had to [tell her] because obviously, she knew what money we had and stuff we were saving. If we were saving money, there would be three grand there. I spent two grand. I had to tell her because she’d be like, ‘Where’s the two grand?’
I was lying to Carly and it was horrible. Then I had to open up, I felt like a big baby. I broke down. It was horrible. It was one of the worst feelings to go through because I broke down to my missus and my little brother, Frankie, who I’m really close with.
What’s your message?
I now use boxing to spread positivity and to encourage anyone suffering to talk to somebody. Especially men, who typically feel this sense of pride to not call for help when it is so desperately needed. Like what I was trying to explain to people and as many people out there are suffering, it’s good to talk up and speak out to people. Speak out loud. I mean, don’t suffer in silence because it will only get worse. It’s a horrible, hard situation when you’re in it. You feel like you’re never going to get out. You feel like you’re in a big hole and you can’t climb out of this hole, because you’ve, got no ladder. I know what it’s like, I hid everything, and I even thought of committing suicide a few times. These days I’m away from gambling, I’m clear, I’m happy. These days I simply want to help others the value of life itself.
And now
“I’ve got a strong wife who stuck by me and the many times I lied to her about gambling and stuff, she could’ve easily walked away from me. I messed up so many times. She stuck by me and she’s pushed me to be the man I am today. I owe everything to Carly, really if I think of it, she’s my rock. She’s helped me massively.
