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My Everton #11: Fazza's Goodison Fight

Everton and technical partner hummel are proud to collaborate to present My Everton, a weekly series of first-hand accounts describing the most-treasured memories of fans, players, and staff both past and present.

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Five years have gone by since I lived a dream.

Even when I think about it now, it seems surreal – I'm not sure it will ever properly sink in.

When I heard there was going to be boxing at Goodison, I couldn’t quite believe it.

It was hard to process and, for a while, it looked 50-50 as to whether it would actually happen, but once it got finalised and my fight offer came through I was absolutely buzzing.

As an Evertonian, it doesn't get better than that. 

I’ve been an Evertonian since I was born... I love this club and I always have done.

I've had a Season Ticket in the Lower Gwladys for years and I remember coming in and sitting in my seat for the game the week before I was due to fight.

I usually get completely sucked in by what is going on out on the pitch but I couldn't focus like I normally would because I kept thinking, 'Next time I come here, I’m going to be having a fight in the middle of the pitch'.

When fight day finally came, the nerves really kicked in. 


It was such a massive occasion – to have boxing at Goodison, on the Sunday of a Bank Holiday weekend and live on Sky.

On top of all that, it was only my ninth professional fight and my opponent – Kofi Yates – was the biggest step up in quality I had taken to that point.

I tried to not think about the fight being at Goodison beforehand but it really hit me when we arrived at the stadium.

We went in and tried to soak up the experience.

We got a photo in the ring and then before I knew it, I was getting warmed up and had no time to process it.

It was like, 'Boom – you are on now'. 

I remember being stood in the tunnel and the music starting to play.

As I came out, I was looking all around trying to savour the moment – I wanted to bottle that up because it was such a unique experience.

This was my chance to show my talent on the biggest of all stages.

Once that first bell went, it's like a flash in my mind... Those 10 rounds flew by. 

Before I knew it, that was it. Done.

I won on points and it was all the emotions you would expect. Pure relief and joy.


I managed to get back out for the main event, which, of course, was Tony Bellew fighting Ilunga Makabu for the WBC Cruiserweight title.

I had a ringside pass but decided to take it in with my family, who were sat a bit further out.

Like everyone, I was nervous and I knew Makabu was a big puncher so I was well aware of how big a test it would be.

Makabu started well and put Tony down in the first round. My heart dropped and I thought it was going to put a sour taste on the night.

But then Tony came back and got the knockout and Goodison was absolutely bouncing.

It made my win even sweeter, too.

I ended up in town after that! When I got in I had recorded the fight so I watched it three times before I went to bed... I was absolutely shattered the next day.

It was well worth it. It was the best night yet for me.

Obviously, it will be difficult to ever top that but maybe one day I can come back.

To say you boxed once at Goodison is incredibly special – but to do it twice, well, nobody has done that.

Goodison will always be special, even when we eventually move on.

The memories I've made there will live with me forever.

By Tom 'Fazza' Farrell, boxer and Evertonian

Farrell is fighting in the super-lightweight BOXXER Series at M&S Bank Arena on Saturday 6 November – live on Sky Sports. Click here to purchase tickets now.