Willetts disappoints on big TV title debut

Tori Ellis-Willetts...failed to dazzle under the bright lights

I’M not a PR merchant for fighters, I’ve never set out to sugar-coat performances and massage egos.

If fledgling boxers – yet to go beyond four rounds -  are deluded enough to tell me they’re future world champions, I’ll print it. It’s a good quote. It doesn’t mean I buy into it.

Those are the rules. Therefore, I am compelled to give an honest assessment of Tori-Ellis Willett’s unsuccessful bid to take the Commonwealth super-bantam belt from Tysie Gallagher last night. The spurious WBO international belt was also on the line.

On the biggest night of her unbeaten five fight career going into the Park Community Arena, Sheffield, showdown, she was poor, very poor.

The maul that took place at Park Community Arena, Sheffield, was, frankly, near unwatchable. It stank. It was too messy to give a round by round account of the action.

Yet it was a contest many favoured Sutton Coldfield’s Willetts to win.  Luton’s Gallagher had more pro experience, with 10 fights going into the bout, but two losses – for the Commonwealth and WBO world title. In her last outing, in May, she’d claimed the British title. She’s a very good boxer.

But 29-year-old Willetts was the elite, all-conquering amateur tipped for stardom.

I had witnessed her dominate opponents with razor sharp reflexes, lightning-fast combinations and superb footwork. I had, in the Birmingham Mail, described Willett’s as women boxing’s next big thing, a certainty to lift world honours.

I wrote: “She is – and I can say it with confidence because of the lack of strength in depth in the modern game – a champion in waiting.”

Last night Willetts was a pale shadow of her superb best. I wasn’t at ringside, but found it hard to believe the boxer toiling against Gallagher was the same one I’d seen dazzle on small hall promotions.

She was dropped in the second and dragged into an unedifying spectacle, marred by frequent clinches, before losing clearly: 96-93, 96-94, 97-92.

I have interviewed Tori-Ellis on a number of occasions. She’s a woman who knows her own mind, who has a firm belief about what’s best for her career. She is single-minded. I’ve found many former Team GB boxers share the same traits.

I don’t know details of the parting of the ways, but understand that desire to do things her way led Tori-Ellis to leave established and respected pro trainer Max McCracken and hook up with former Eastside coach Karly G.

Was that the right move? I’ll let those who witnessed last night’s affair be the judge. I’m sure Max McCracken is keeping his thoughts to himself.

But, as a move, it suggests Willetts wanted to do things she was comfortable with, to work with people she was comfortable with.

And that’s the rub.

Champions are dragged out of their comfort zone by trainers. It is a trainer’s job to put them in testing, sink or swim, situations and make them bite the bullet.

Those boxers who question a trainer’s decisions are often found wanting at top level. The relationship is not a democracy.

I’m not suggesting Willetts is guilty of any of the above, I’m not suggesting Karly G failed to push her to the limits.

But it is an undeniable fact that Tori-Ellis was handed a big opportunity last night and blew it. Frankly, she didn’t perform.

Now she needs to look at herself and ask why she didn’t perform. I’m certain of one thing: it wasn’t because Gallagher is a better fighter.

Last night, Tori-Ellis Willetts was given the chance to dazzle before a TV audience – and she had the tools to do that. Instead, she was involved in a damp squib.

She and those around her have to ask why. The answers may be uncomfortable.

*As always, a response – a right to reply – is welcomed by Tori-Ellis and Karly G.