From Manchester, Middle Miss seemed destined to establish himself on British television before suddenly deciding to go on a completely different path.
With a showreel that includes credits for Emmerdale and Waterloo Road, his decision shocked many people within the drama circle. But not so, given his competitive streak, the people closest to him happen.
“Acting can be difficult, but it’s a much easier sight than boxing,” laughs Middle Miss.
“My family and friends know how competitive I am and how my dad loved boxing, so I don’t think they fell out of their chairs when they found something I wanted to do.
“Okay, they were probably a little surprised, but I haven’t been surprised or speechless at what I was doing.
“There are more relaxed ways to make a living, but boxing has grabbed me straight away. I think that’s the pressure you have to put on yourself, as you’re just you and the other guys in the ring, you can’t rely on others.
“You need to be focused and motivated to continue improving. You can never give up.
“From the first moment, I made an appeal from the moment I stepped into the gym, because in my eyes it was the ultimate pure test you could experience.”
Middlesmith, who starred alongside Sally Lindsay and Robin Asquith in Madame Blanc’s Mysteries, was actually a promising cricketer before deciding to wear gloves.
However, the long field days left Middle Smith out of the sport and broke the heart of his father, who loved to take part in long games.
“That’s the opposite pole to boxing,” Middlesmith says. “I eventually fell from love to it. It gradually faded.”
