Wharf hairdresser to enter the ring

By Rob Virtue on March 27, 2008 9:00 AM |

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The Gentry

HE’S a friendly barber from The Gentry in Cabot Place, but for one day next month he’ll be a fighting machine.

George Pericleous will be swapping scissors for boxing gloves when he steps into the ring for his first white collar bout.

George, 29, has been cutting hair in the Wharf for two years and in that time he has had a few customers who are white collar boxers.

“It is definitely something that a lot of bankers around here are getting in to,” he said.
“I just hope my opponent doesn’t turn out to be somebody who comes here and I beat them, or they might not want to come back.”

The hairdresser from north London was a keen boxer in his youth but decided to give white collar a chance after watching a television programme recently.

He only joined his Islington boxing club a month ago but has already been lined up for a fight in April in west London.

“Being an amateur boxer it’s hard to juggle with a full-time job,” said George. “But these guys are a bit older, you don’t have to deal with youngsters who are on their way up. White collar boxing seemed easier to get involved in.”

He will enter the ring as “The Hustler”, a name he was rushed into choosing by the organisers.

“I had to decide on a name quickly,” said George. “Maybe I should have gone for something like Sweeney Todd, but at the time I was a bit rushed and went for The Hustler because of the way I box – hustling my opponents.
“And it sounds dangerous, the opposition boxer will be thinking ‘what’s he done to earn this
nickname?’.”

The fitness fanatic believes he’s in prime shape for his debut bout and with his Gentry co-workers there to cheer him on, he says he has a great chance of a win.

“I’m 29 but I feel fitter than when I was 20 – actually better,” he said. “Now I don’t smoke or drink, apart from the odd glass at the Christmas party. I’m fighting fit.
“I’ve actually been training a bit too hard lately and have had to slow down a bit.
“But I’m really looking forward to this.”

The fight will be held at Porchester Hall on April 18.

rob.virtue@wharf.co.uk