Professional Boxer Jack 'The Ripper' McKinlay Answers All

Next up on our Q&A feature is professional boxer Jack McKinlay. Jack has been into boxing for the majority of his life, claiming it to be his one true passion and will do whatever it takes to become the best he possibly can. Being a MyFreshBox client now for over a year and was actually our first sponsored athlete, McKinlay has shown unrivalled power in the semi-professional divisions, with being able to knock people out caving the pathway for him to take the step up to becoming a professional. This is a massive feature considering how rare they usually are in those levels due to the extra precaution and additional headgear worn by competitors for protection.

What is your favourite exercise?
My favourite exercise is going on the punchbag and working on striking whether that be technique or combinations, I find it’s also good for stress release.

What muscle do you consider to be the most important to be trained on?
I think the most important muscle to work on in boxing is your legs because that’s where all your power comes from.

What’s your favourite pre workout meal / snack?
My favourite pre workout snack is something light like a breakfast bar with a coffee, something to fuel me and give me energy.

What’s your favourite post workout meal / snack?
After training i like to have a meal something that will fill me up, preferably some chicken/meat with vegetables if I can, so something lean and reasonably healthy but still filling.

What’s your favourite MyFreshBox dish?
My favourite MFB meal is the Beef Panang Curry, it’s the bomb haha.

What’s your favourite cheat dish?
My favourite cheat dish has got to be a KFC.

How many times a week do you train?
I train 6 days a week. I try to have at least 1 day where I do absolutely nothing, because I’ve realised sometimes giving your body a rest is just as important as training sometimes.

How do you deal with sugar / junk food cravings?
When I’m in camp I don’t have any fizzy drinks or crisps, if I do crave anything its usually chocolate which I’m quite lenient with and I actually have that before training sometimes, I see it as giving me some sugar which can be used as energy.

What is the best diet to follow for losing weight?
I find the best way to diet is not to skip meals, you should always eat no matter what. I wouldn't advise anyone to starve themselves just to eat healthily and clean and to work out.

What and when should I eat around my workouts?
Eat when you’re hungry and always drink plenty of fluids.

What has been your toughest fight?
Toughest fight was in Yorkshire against a tough lad called roman N cube. I injured myself sparring and had a bad back which made me come close to pulling out before hand, but because it was in a tournament I went through with it. We had a proper war for 4 rounds, no one took a backwards step and it was an all out battle but I ended up winning on points.

What has been your favourite fight?
My favourite win came against a lad from Sheffield who I had boxed about 3/4 weeks beforehand and won a close decision but then this time when I fought him I knocked him out in the first round. That must be my best win, there was loads of people there supporting both him and I and when he was counted out it was just the best feeling in the world.

What’s your key to balancing a working life around going to the gym and training to be a fighter?
I only work weekends because I train through the week. For me, boxing comes first and always has, I’ll put it before any job. Boxing’s probably my only true passion in life and I’ll give everything I can to fulfil a career in it, no matter how much hard works needed.

If you’ve got any questions to do with boxing, from tips to information about upcoming fights, drop Jack a message on Instagram through @JackMcKinlay18, where he’ll do what he can to help you out and share his knowledge and expertise on the sport.

If you’re a personal trainer or knowledgeable about fitness / nutrition and would like to get involved with this, then please drop us a message on any of our social channels or via email at hello@my-fresh-box.co.uk and we’ll send over the questions, featuring you in our next available slot.