Ryan moves up to middle in title hunt
Ryan Woolridge…now a middleweight. Pic: MSN Images/BCB Promotions
WHEN Ryan Woolridge first turned pro at a young age, I’ll admit to believing the likeable lad’s potential would probably peak at Midlands title level.
But the tall Bloxwich boxer has, under long time trainer Peter Hickenbottom, developed rapidly.
He’s now hitting with power. He has become the game’s surprise package.
That development will only be helped by news Ryan has cut back on his full-time job as an electrician.
The news was given in a release by BCB Promotions’ hard working PR man Paul Webb.
Surprising, the release also refers to Woolridge as a middleweight. He has, to date, campaigned as a light-middle, but the 23-year-old always looked a towering 11 stone fighter.
Ryan puts his new regime into practice on BCB’s “Second City Showdown” at the Eastside Rooms in Birmingham on June 15.
“It is a completely different way of training,” he told Paul Webb. “I can spar in the day and have upped my hill runs from maybe once a week to three times that.
“I spoke to Tyler Denny and other lads that have gone full time to get their advice and if I want to box at that level it is something they all said I had to do. I am still doing jobs here and looking for new sponsors to come on board at this important stage in my career.
Woolridge had picked up eight wins from eight since his debut back in 2021 but a conclusive knockout victory evaded him. That changed in February when he blew away Martin Shaw inside two rounds at the home of his beloved Walsall FC. It was a morale boosting moment for the southpaw, showing he can punch as well as box.
He said: “The plan going into the fight was to get him out of there early as Martin is the kind of guy who comes looking to throw punches and he doesn’t just tuck up and defend.
“I had the confidence I could catch him, but he landed a decent shot on me in the first round so I had to pull it together. I think getting hit was what sparked me to life.
Woolridge and Hickenbottom have been putting in the hours at Great Wyrley ABC gym as well as taking some interesting sparring opportunities.
“Me and Pete are strong believers in not over-sparring and when you do it you have to get the most out of those rounds. I’ve frequently been in with Marco Simmonds - they are always good spars - and also Ryan Kelly who has a big fight of his own coming up. Kelly is boxing a southpaw like myself so it made sense and mixing it with someone of his quality has helped me feel mentally stronger than I have before.
“I’ll be boxing at middleweight now. I was always tall for light-middle and a nutritionist has advised me that this is the best decision for my career. Now is about keeping the momentum going. I’m hoping to box an eight rounder so if tickets go well that's the plan, but whatever comes my way on the 15th I will be ready to go."
*Tickets for Second City Showdown are now available, priced at £40 standard and £80 VIP, from the boxers directly or by emailing info@bcb-promotions.com.