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Earl boxed again in 1998, having three more fights before taking on Uganda’s Israel Khamulo in January of 1999. The Ipswich Corn Exchange was about to witness one of the Wild Thing’s most thrilling matches to date, as he steamed into the ring, looking fitter and stronger than ever. Earl was ahead from the instant the bell rang. Victory looked imminent. Then it went horribly wrong- in a bizarre and confusing combination of moves from both Earl and Khamulo, Earl suddenly stumbled, fell and landed with his full body weight on top of his leg, twisting his ankle so that it was forced into a 90˚ angle, which both dislocated and shattered it.
This was one of the more serious of many sporting injuries Earl’s boxing career was hampered by, and required two operations, including having pins and plates put into his leg to repair the damage done.
Earl was still in a leg cast on March 7th 1999- and this was the life changing day when his daughter, Xaynia Ling was born. In his own words, from that moment on, she became the centre of his world.
Earl continued to make physical progress after breaking his ankle. So bad was the injury that his specialist and other health professionals estimated that up to two years’ rehabilitation and physiotherapy would be needed before Earl would be able to run again- one of his favourite and most effective parts of his training regime.
What they did not take into account was his fierce determination, as six months after sustaining his horrific injury Earl raised money for the Hall School for Children with Special Needs by running the Norwich half-marathon. He astounded everyone, not only by taking part whilst clearly in agony, but also by completing it taking only 15 minutes longer than the previous year, when he had competed in full health.
During 1999 Earl’s marriage to Hayley broke down and they separated, later divorcing in 2002. His relationship with and dedication to his daughter, Xaynia, was as strong as ever, though, and always has been, as she remains Daddy’s Little Princess, as well as being best friends!
After the break-up, Earl seemed to be in limbo-land, unsure of what laid ahead in his personal life, but also uncertain of his future in boxing, wondering whether to quit the sport he loved so much, having realised that although a favourite amongst Norwich fans and a well respected fighter in the world of boxing, he was never going to be the best- which had been his dream since childhood.
A chance meeting with Norwich businessman Neil Featherby restored his self-belief. Mr Featherby was involved at the time as a nutritionist with world featherweight champion Paul Ingle, and suggested a few days’ training in his Hull based camp may help Earl’s career along. The “one-off” trip became three or four days a week over a period of three years, and Earl was training with Ingle’s trainer, Steve Pollard. Earl has fond memories of his time spent in Hull, forging lasting friendships- not only in the boxing capacity but also some locals along the way- Mark Elwood (owner of the gym used by the fighters) has become a close friend for life.
After a brief but successful return to his Norwich based trainer Graham Everett, Earl had gained enough confidence and self esteem to seek out new challenges, so decided to retire from boxing- in order to indulge his burning desire and lifelong ambition (a well kept secret until this point in time!) to act.
His on-screen debut was a non-speaking role in low budget feature length film Rulers, Dealers and Losers and was arranged by friend Ruben Halse, in 2003. Earl played a Russian hit man and although film makers RDL released the movie at the BFM festival, many of the actors who had been promised payment never received their cash- Earl included.
In 2004 Earl was spotted by the Sandra Reynolds Agency, a modelling and talent agency based in Norwich and London, whilst working as a doorman at Time nightclub. A few photographic jobs and small TV appearances followed, then the agency landed him a small speaking role in short film Norfolk Coast in 2005. This film was shown at the 2006 Cannes Film Festival and starred the Stranglers band member Jean Jacques Burnell (plus a soundtrack featuring the music of the band), Nicholas Ball, star of 70’s detective series Hazel and international film star Susannah York.
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