Goodchild is back gunning for titles!

Connor Goodchild…aiming to re-start his career in Birmingham in March

CONNOR Goodchild, the welter whose promising career was almost wrecked by a wayward lifestyle, is back – more mature, more focused, more dedicated and, he insists, more complete as a fighter.

After three years away from the game, Goodchild, now 27, picks up the pieces on manager Anthony Manning’s March 14 show at Birmingham’s Eastside Rooms. He will receive a noisy reception: the Stechford father-of-three has a large following.

“I feel I’m in my prime, I’m better mentally, physically, every way possible,” he pledged.

Goodchild’s got his mojo back after allowing his life to spiral out-of-control: “I was drinking, partying, doing things I shouldn’t have been doing.” He paid the penalty.

He is a likeable individual who impressed in scoring four straight wins. He is disarmingly honest about his troubled past and the reason for his ring absence.

Connor served time and has only now been given the green light to box again by the Board of Control. “I was only in Winson Green (HMP Birmingham) for nine week. It was enough, I felt vulnerable. I’m a man, but felt like a little child in there.

“The people who know me know my past. I don’t care if they come to see me get knocked out or come to see me win as long as they come to see me. I’m like Marmite. I’m a diamond in the ghetto.”

Goodchild plans to grasp this second chance of ring glory with both hands. “I’m buzzing,” he said, “I can’t describe how excited I am. Mentally, I’m on top of the world, I look at life a lot differently now.

“Anthony Manning’s gym is on fire, they are all great lads. I’m ready and focused. I did six rounds with (light-welterweight contender) Mykey Lee Broughton and a very good amateur and wanted to do more.

“When the time is right, I’ll contest some belts. I want a Midlands title fight this year, definitely.”

Goodchild, a man with a lot of catching up to do, is in a rush to reclaim lost ground.

In a previous interview, he told me: “People can say I’m crazy, but every boxer’s crazy. Who else would willingly take punches to the head?”

Goodchild, whose partner gave birth to a son five months ago, insists he’s put the crazy days behind him.