158th University Boat Race

OXFORD president Karl Hudspith will prepare for tomorrow’s Xchanging Boat Race against Cambridge (2.15) as if he is Mike Tyson.

Hudspith, who was not good enough to make the top boat at Hampton School, has been inspired by the former heavyweight world champion boxer’s rags to riches story.

The 24-year-old post-graduate in clinical medicine has also turned to the unlikely figure of professional wrestler Chris Jericho for an insight into what it takes to perform under intense pressure.

For the two university crews, the pressure does not come any greater than tomorrow’s race over four and a quarter miles of the Thames between Putney and Mortlake.

“One of the things I’ve done this year is look at great sportsmen or even just great people who have gone from nothing and achieved a lot,” Hudspith said.

“I feel that has been my journey as well. I was so terrible when I started this sport, for the first few years I couldn’t even make the year group in my school.

“So to come from Hampton’s fourth boat to president of the blue boat is quite a journey.

“I watched the biographical film about Mike Tyson. With Tyson, one of the things I was interested to see was how he prepares, walking up to the ring, all the things going through his head.

“To begin with it was: ‘This guy’s going to beat me’. And then as he gets closer, he steps into the ring and he feels like a god, like no-one can touch him.

“That kind of stuff is something you can relate to.

“I’m a pro-wrestling fan and I’m reading Chris Jericho’s autobiography at the moment. It’s interesting to see how these kind of guys try to make it in a high-pressure environment.

“For us, we have to push our bodies during the race and training, but we also have some pretty tough academic demands. It can be quite hectic balancing both.”

Hudspith is not alone in drawing inspiration from inside the ring as he prepares for a race which is broadcast in 200 countries and will attract around 250,000 people to the banks of the Thames.

“Just last night I was watching Rocky,” said Cambridge president Dave Nelson.

“There is a lot to be gained from that, in particular the message: ‘You can go a long way with heart.’”

Cambridge are heavier and younger, but will need more than just heart, with the more internationally experienced Oxford strong favourites.

“I’m feeling pretty good. We’ve had some good results in our fixtures and been producing some good speed. We are ready to go out and race,” said Hudspith, the only returning Blue from last year’s victorious Oxford boat.

Cambridge feature just one British oarsman in Mike Thorp, but Nelson believes that multi-national mix leaves them in good stead to face up to the challenge ahead.