'Boxing Binman' Rendall Munroe's hopes of getting Biffa job back dashed
Former "boxing binman" Rendall Munroe has thrown in the towel after his hopes of returning to refuse collecting were dashed.
The 32-year-old had planned on going back to his job as a binman in Leicester after retiring from his professional sporting career in December.
Five weeks ago, the dad-of-two met with bosses from refuse company Biffa and asked whether he could rejoin his colleagues on the Eyres Monsell round.
But he told the Mercury he had not heard anything since the meeting and was now turning his attention to finding something else.
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Rendall, a former English super bantamweight title-holder, said: "I have not heard anything.
"Even a phone call to say I can't have my job back would be something – at least I would know.
"I was there for eight years and only left because I wanted to follow my dream, but I always had it in my head that I was going back on the bins.
"My plan was once I'd had enough of boxing, I'd be emptying the bins again and I'd be happy.
"People keep telling me to forget about the bins, that I can do better. But the binman thing made me."
During his nine-year boxing career, the fighter and his corner team would come out in fluorescent yellow jackets to signify the binman links.
In 2011, Rendall gave up his beloved job – but kept the nickname the Boxing Binman – and became a full-time professional after securing a £1,000-a-week sponsorship deal with Derbyshire company Elite Construction.
But the dream ended after about a year, finishing with a draw – and a gaping wound above Rendall's eye – and then a defeat to Bury boxer Scott Quigg.
Rendall said: "When I gave up working, that's when it all went wrong for me. I started over-training and thinking too much about the boxing.
"When I cut my eye, I had it in my mind that was it for me.
"All I want now is to go back to work and the bins is the only thing I really know."
But with the former fighter admitting he does not think a return to his old job his now likely, he has enrolled on a course at Loughborough College, with a view to becoming a child mentor.
"I'm doing my gym instructor level two, then I can go on to do a mentoring course," he said.
"It's something I've thought about for a while and, you never know, it might be a blessing in disguise.
"If boxing has taught me anything it's that I know how to pick myself up and carry on."
The Leicester Mercury asked Biffa to comment on whether it was considering re-employing Rendall.
A spokeswoman said: "No comment."
8 Comments
by leic-star
Saturday, February 16 2013, 9:19AM
“Chin up Ren. There is something better out there for you. I'm sure it will come along soon.”
by pullingteeth
Friday, February 15 2013, 7:29PM
“Rendall you are a true role model to those young children out there .. "follow your dreams" is what I tell the youngsters. It is Biffa's loss at the end of the day.
Good luck for the future and no doubt opportunities will come knock knocking!!”
by ghostof66pah
Friday, February 15 2013, 5:32PM
“You'll do ok Rendall. Someone somewhere will recognise your hard work ethics and reliability. Following your dream does not make you unreliable, it shows your desire to do well.
If you get down about the bins you can always come round and empty my bins to keep your hand in!”
by Charlesmonty
Friday, February 15 2013, 5:23PM
“''No comment'' speaks volumes about the company. They fail spectaculaly with their own PR and fail to realise that not only is Rendall a loyal hard working employee but a positive PR story for the company. I run a business and would seriously look elsewhere for my waste collection. Well done Biffa!! Time to restructure your HR and Media Departments?”
by truthtooth
Friday, February 15 2013, 4:45PM
“the staff at biffa do get sacked very regulary . there cannot be that many bad hgv drivers around that they profess there is in leicester , im quite sure of that, but they must have awful providers of drivers if so ? or is it something else ? ? ? ?”
by truthtooth
Friday, February 15 2013, 4:42PM
“smoothuk1 is correct , the turnover of staff at biffa is unreal . there cannot be that many bad hgv drivers and bin loaders in leicester, im for sure ! the axe is their favourite tool .”
by Smoothuk1
Friday, February 15 2013, 3:50PM
“Rendall the staff turn over they have at Biffa I'm sure there'd soon want someone of ur calibre back”
by City_C10
Friday, February 15 2013, 2:37PM
“Sadly, this is office politics for you. Once you leave a company, they do not want you back. He has learnt the hard way. I wish him luck in his future job, whatever that might be.”