From combating for his life to combating within the ring

[ad_1] Three years in the past Charlie Dugdale was combating for his life as he battled a uncommon blood dysfunction.

After receiving a life-changing bone marrow transplant, he has turned his combating spirit to the boxing ring.

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Dugdale, 20, from Liskeard, Cornwall, has aplastic anaemia - a situation the place the bone marrow and stem cells don't produce sufficient blood cells.

Within the race to discover a bone marrow donor, his household organised a mass swab in 2022 to discover a appropriate match.

However it was the charity Anthony Nolan which related him with a 29-year-old man from Germany for the transplant, giving him a second likelihood at life.

For the reason that operation, he has pursued his ardour of blended martial arts (MMA).

He gained his debut newbie combat on the Meltdown Combating Championships in Bristol in September and just lately met his hero Tyson Fury.

<img alt="A boy is lying in a hospital bed with a tube inserted into his chest. He is smiling and has his hands upright in a sort of "I'm still here" gesture. " loading="lazy" width="960" height="540" decoding="async" data-nimg="1" class="standard-img" style="color:transparent" src="https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/03B8zYMVqL5H1MrV8VSAFg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTU0MDtjZj13ZWJw/https://media.zenfs.com/en/bbc_us_articles_995/c3d47691dc42454cd567cbf7473bebd7"/> Dugdale in Derriford Hospital throughout his stem cell operation in 2023 [Danielle Dugdale]

Having solely simply began coaching in February, he mentioned MMA was "all the things" to him.

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"My coaches and associates satisfied me to carry out my first combat, simply go all out and have my MFA combat," Dugdale mentioned.

"Went up there, executed it, acquired the second spherical knockout.

"I feel I will keep on with MMA now as a result of it is all the things."

<img alt="A young short haired man wearing boxing gloves is holding them close to his face before he attempts to throw a punch at Tyson Fury who is holding two hook and jab pads" loading="lazy" width="960" height="540" decoding="async" data-nimg="1" class="standard-img" style="color:transparent" src="https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/9hC6FeL1o7jOYj4_vrmUwA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTU0MDtjZj13ZWJw/https://media.zenfs.com/en/bbc_us_articles_995/87bc55153088a7f03a91fa4af2dd0356"/> He had an opportunity to coach with Tyson Fury by means of the Rays of Sunshine youngsters's charity [Rays of Sunshine]

By means of the Rays of Sunshine youngsters's charity Dugdale just lately visited Fury on the boxer's Morecambe fitness center.

"It was a bit mind-blowing after I met him," he mentioned.

"I've seen him on TV. I've seen him all my life. We jumped straight on the pads, I used to be with him for about 45 minutes. It was good, actually good.

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"His phrases had been 'child can field' and he was impressed with my expertise."

'Shiny future' Rays of Sunshine chief govt Amy Chambers mentioned Dugdale had proven "exceptional braveness and willpower in getting again into the boxing ring after his prognosis and remedy".

"To see his want to meet his hero come true has been extremely particular," she mentioned.

"Our heartfelt thanks go to Tyson and his crew for making a day that Charlie will always remember.

"Moments like this gas his motivation and encourage a vivid future full of chance."

Dugdale mentioned he would preserve coaching however he was nonetheless aware of his restoration.

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"That is simply my debut combat, I've to watch out of my well being. I've nonetheless acquired a number of issues I must type out and subsequent yr I will get the ball rolling and have a number of extra fights," he mentioned.

"I simply have to be cautious and never rush into it and make myself ailing once more."

As he continues his restoration, Dugdale mentioned he hoped to satisfy his German donor when he and his household take a vacation within the UK subsequent yr.

His mom Danielle mentioned on the second anniversary of his transplant her son had "reached out to his donor and despatched a letter saying, 'Thanks for saving my life'."

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"[But] earlier than we had the possibility his donor had reached out to us," she added.

"I by no means wished to hug a person I do not know extra."

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