Former Boxer Details Two-Decade Alcoholism Struggle

A former heavyweight boxer, Neil Kirkwood, has shared details of his 20-year battle with alcoholism, his 20-stone weight loss, and his eventual return to the sport he loves. Mr. Kirkwood, who once competed against future world champion Nikolai Valuev during his peak, stated that his alcohol addiction commenced following the deaths of his parents in the early 2000s. His prolonged period of excessive drinking and eating led him to “balloon” to almost 40 stone (254kg), rendering him unable to purchase clothes from high street stores or sit in a dentist’s chair. In November last year, a doctor informed Mr. Kirkwood, who was consuming three bottles of vodka daily, that “one more drink and you’ll be dead,” prompting him to realize a transformation was necessary. The 55-year-old, originally from Barnsley, stated, “I didn’t want to die.” For individuals impacted by the themes discussed in this article, assistance and support are accessible via the BBC Action Line. A significant driving force behind his decision to change his life was his partner and family, especially his grandchildren, with whom he regularly took holidays. He recounted, “I wanted to go running, go on rides at the funfair but I couldn’t put the seat belt on, I was just too fat.” He added, “I couldn’t travel, I couldn’t fit in the caravan. It upset me, I cried.” He explained that confronting his alcohol addiction, which almost jeopardized his relationship with his partner Theresa, and altering his lifestyle proved to be an arduous process demanding consistency and discipline. His primary incentive was to “stay alive,” while his support network served as his motivation, alongside his aspiration to eventually re-enter the boxing ring. He commented, “The boxing is just the focus but the biggest challenge, the biggest fight in my life was coming off alcohol, fighting depression and losing weight.” Adopting a new training regimen, which included gym classes, strength training, and swimming, Mr. Kirkwood rapidly started to lose weight. He reported that he currently weighs slightly over 19 stone (120kg) and has maintained sobriety for 12 months. This Sunday, he will prepare for his final fight in April next year by resuming training and using his boxing gloves, an activity he hasn’t done in 22 years. Despite feeling apprehensive about his re-entry into the sport, Mr. Kirkwood stated that this event signifies the conclusion of his 20-year journey “back to myself.” He conveyed, “If just one person can take something away from my interview: you can turn your life around, there is always light at the end of the tunnel, it’s never too late.” He further urged, “You can ask for help – please ask for help. It’s never the end, nothing is that bad that you can’t get through it. If I can do it, anybody can.” Highlights from South Yorkshire are available on BBC Sounds, and the latest episode of Look North can be accessed. Readers are also invited to submit stories for consideration. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC disclaims responsibility for the content of external websites. Information regarding our external linking policy is available.