Boxing promoter Kevin Spratt, pictured, can trace his career change back to a pizza.

Spratt, at 36 a baby in dinner-show management, is preparing for his next big night at Elland Road on November 12 when Henry Cooper is the star guest.

But he could still have been inside the ring rather than organising the punters watching from the posh tables.

In six years as a professional welterweight, Spratt won 20 of 29 fights and can recite them with a photographic memory.

Spratt, who was based in Bradford, won a central area title which he twice defended before being stopped in the second round of a British title eliminator in Gateshead. He can remember all the opponents, the rounds and the venues. Spratt can also recall precisely the moment when he decided to jack it all in ten years ago.

"It was a red-hot day and I'd gone to bed for a couple of hours at home in Laisterdyke before going training. It was two weeks to the fight, I was starving, I had no energy, there was nowt on me.

"When I got up I realised I'd had enough. I shouted to my wife Donna to fetch me a pizza from the shop and that was it. I'd spent 18 years of my life non-stop training as an amateur then a pro, I had never had a drink and basically I was living like a hermit. I went through one divorce after going to America where it didn't work out and basically I was totally fed up."

Spratt made a clean break and took up squash but his competitive edge was still apparent. "I got too tense because I still had to win all the time."

Boxing still called and he couldn't resist an advert from Bradford's long-established promoter John Celebanski for a trainer. Spratt worked with the likes of former British champion Derek Roche, Lee Murtagh and Danny Thornton at the Transport Club which he re-named Round One boxing and fitness gym.

He moved to new premises in Yeadon before moving into business with a former amateur boxing pal Mark Bateson.

"I was panicking all night in our first show and I never touched a drink. To be honest, I still don't enjoy them because I'm too concerned that everybody is having a good time.

"This is our eighth show coming up, the fourth professional one, and I've started to have a couple of glasses of wine after 11pm. People are normally relaxed by then and the boxing has started.

"But it is nerve-racking because you have to look after 600 to 700 people. As the promoter, people want to talk to me and you have to give every table a bit of attention.

"I was quite good in the game but this is very different. If you're going to be a decent promoter you have to make sure everything is just right from the class of the fights to the quality of the food.

"You can cut corners but I'd rather spend £2,000 to £3,000 more on a top guest of honour like Henry Cooper, £200-£300 more on a good fighter and £2 to £3 more on a decent meal."

Spratt may base his shows in Leeds but the Bradford connection remains strong.

"I sell as many tickets here as in Leeds and the sponsors are from Bradford.

"Bradford's been good to me and I've always looked up to John Celebanski."