A South Yorkshire farmer is preparing to trade in his hay bales for a haymaker after becoming a professional boxer.
Fourth generation farmer Edward Hardy, from Marl, near Doncaster, said he dreams of one day becoming world champion.
The 22-year-old, nicknamed “Farm Boy,” is a two-time amateur national champion and hopes to make his professional debut in October.
He told the BBC he has no plans to give up his farming lifestyle, adding: “Farming keeps me healthy and it's a bit of an advantage.”
Coming off a day of plowing with his father, James, Edward said the family farm is full of makeshift training equipment to keep them in fighting shape.
He said: “There's a pull-up bar in one of the huts and a rope hanging from one of the ceilings, as well as some old tyres which I use for strength and conditioning. They're a bit heavy.”
“I'll do some work, do a few sets of pull-ups, and keep going.”
For now, the super bantamweight is balancing boxing with his full-time job on the farm.
“My dad is a good guy and allows me to take a few hours off each day to train in the gym and then we train together when I get home,” he said.
“We live on a farm so I'm here all the time. Hopefully I can do well in boxing and make farming a hobby rather than a job.”
Farm life was a family affair, but James, who was passionate about boxing, introduced eight-year-old Edward to the sport and took him “all over the country” to compete.
“My dad watched all of Ricky Hatton's fights and showed me all the old fighters,” said Edward, who fought his first amateur bout at age 11, beating Hatton's son Campbell for the national championship.
Edwards boxed for England in Germany, sharing the ring with up-and-coming boxer Adam Azim, but after missing out on selection for the British team that could have competed in the Paris Olympics, he decided to turn professional.
He currently trains at Sheffield's Steel City Gym, which has a growing reputation for producing stars.
Edwards' training partners include former world champions Sunny Edwards and Chantelle Cameron, as well as another rising star, Dalton Smith.
He said it's “amazing” to train with such talented players.
“I just want to go as far as I can and win as many titles as I can.”
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