Source: Nick Parkinson | boxingscene.com
JASON BOOTH will try to provide a fairytale finish to his story of the reformed alcoholic who on Saturday challenges for the world title.
The Nottingham boxer admits his booze addiction and drug abuse nearly killed him after domestic success in the ring led to his life spiralling out of control.
Booth, 32, would drink as many as 25 cans of lager a day – and then rummage through bins to find more alcohol to guzzle.
His life hit the canvas following his British and Commonwealth flyweight title wins in 1999. And he did not box at all for several years until he made his comeback in November 2006.
He cleaned up his act, checked out of rehab, returned to the gym and hooked up with promoter Frank Maloney.
Last year he won the British and Commonwealth super-bantamweight titles and next weekend he will challenge Canadian Steve Molitor for the IBF world crown in Houghton-le-Spring, Tyne and Wear.
It has not been an easy comeback with Booth and his family having to sleep on bare floorboards, in their council house, as he set about rebuilding his life.
But now Booth plans to take his family to Disney World in Florida after the fight, with more money-spinning bouts ahead if he beats Molitor.
He said: “The addiction to alcohol was bad, as bad as it gets. I couldn’t possibly get up in the morning without drinking alcohol.
“It got a really bad hold of me and it nearly cost me my life.
“I had so many things that drove me to drink – I had demons in my head.
“After my first comeback fight I got myself a carpet and after this one I’ve promised to take my kids Charlia, Cameron, Jayden and Demi, and my partner Sarita, to Disney World in Florida.
“I have told the travel agent I can’t pay him until after the fight, so it had better happen or else we won’t be going!
“We had nothing when we moved into the council house. The house and the garden were crap.
“We started sleeping on the floorboards and with every purse earned I bought something. The missus has even got a car now.
“I’ve relocated and we live on a good road now.
“I don’t hang about on any of the booze corners anymore. I’ve started again.”
Molitor, 30, out-pointed Jason’s brother Nicky for the Commonwealth bantamweight title in 2002 and makes the first defence in his second reign as champ.
Nicky has had his own problems after a crack cocaine addiction and he also had to serve a prison sentence for a drug-related incident.
But he will be ringside to see if Jason can get revenge for the family against Molitor.
Jason added: “My brother will be there and he is looking forward to the fight. He is all right.
“He’s still my brother and I love him to bits. I wouldn’t like to say he’s 100 per cent better – but he’s still my brother, whatever he’s doing.”
Jason Booth v Steve Molitor is exclusively live and in high definition on Sky Sports 1 and Sky Sports HD1 on Saturday September 11. To upgrade to HD call 08442 410 564
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