THE BUZZ and bright lights of professional boxing will always appeal to Jimmy Briggs.

Hard knocks and heavy defeats may have put his ambitions on the ropes over the last two years, but the former Barnstaple amateur is proud to still be standing.

"I love boxing," he said. "And you have got to take the rough with the smooth.

"Sometimes you hate it but it's only when it gets taken away from you that you miss it.

"It's all I've ever really known since I was 10 years old.

"And when you're a fighter, I don't think you ever lose the hunger for it — it's always there."

It has certainly been a rough road for Briggs since making the switch to the paid ranks in November 2007.

A miserable record of 17 defeats in 19 bouts would test the resolve of any sportsman.

And just when he was regaining his enthusiasm, the 22-year-old has been sidelined with a back injury.

His proposed welterweight clash with Paignton's Liam Power at Torbay next month has been postponed.

Time away from the ring has given Briggs the chance to reflect on a varied career.

"It's been an experience," he said. "I have had quite a few bad decisions and a few bad results but the good thing is I have always stayed on my feet. Nobody has put me on the floor yet.

"It shows resilience and that's the only pride I can take at the moment because I haven't won.

"When I started out, I was expecting to do big things and I think I have lost a lot of confidence.

"It's been fun though, and I love having my face bashed about!

"It's a strange feeling, but one I don't know how to do without."

The thrill of competition gave way to the harsh realities of financial need when Briggs was made redundant.

He was taking fights to pay the bills and shows across the UK as far afield as Leeds, London, Lincoln and Wigan all brought the same disappointments.

"I did go into it half-hearted after the first four or five fights because I was doing it for the wrong reasons," he said.

"I had rent to pay and I just went on the road and took any fight possible.

"No matter who they were, how good they were or how long I'd trained for it, I just took it.

"I couldn't just sit there and get kicked out of my house.

"I've set up my own little business now and it's going all right so I'm not desperate for the money anymore.

"The injury has come just as I'm in a position to take it seriously and be somebody again."

Now living in Beaford, Briggs is running a property maintenance and cleaning firm, and once fit he will find the time to train properly again.

"Barnstaple will always be my boxing home," he said. "That's where my heart and soul is and (Barnstaple coach) Mark Simpson will always be there for me no matter what.

"I'm always positive about everything.

"I've got my little boy and my missus, so I've got a lot of blessings and I don't really get downhearted about anything anymore."

The back injury was aggravated during his last bout, against Leonard Lothian in Northampton in December.

With an ultrasound scan and physiotherapy due soon, Briggs can't wait to resume training at the Mill Road gym.

"I'm 22 so I've sill got another 10 years ahead of me, maybe even 15," he added.

"I was a journeyman but I'm going to have a better year next year — it's not going to beat me."