Willetts is set for a hat-trick of pro wins
Brad Willetts…fights tomorrow. Pic: “Through The Lens” Photography
BLACK Country welter Brad Willetts has already proved himself a better professional fighter than I expected.
It’s very early days, but the Dudley 25-year-old looks a proficient box-fighter – and that transition to the paid code is down to dad Steve and Les Sharratt who train the lad at Cradley Heath’s Golden Gloves gym.
He’s sharp, disciplined and popular. Brad has sold 115 tickets for his third outing, at Birmingham Airport’s Holiday Inn, tomorrow (Sunday). In the current financial climate, that’s not bad numbers for a weekend afternoon show.
In the other corner will be Dublin southpaw Jacob Marrer, yet to pick up a win after seven contests, but never stopped. The Irishman is a late replacement.
I expect Willetts to make it a hat-trick of victories. I’ll even stick my neck out and predict he’ll prevail by a 40-36 scoreline after four rounds.
How far Willetts can go, I’m not yet prepared to put on paper. He looked very impressive in his debut against tough journeyman Shane Smith, was a little more predictable and used less angles in his second contest last December.
But the bottom line is Brad has won every round of his pro career to date. You can’t argue with that.
Willetts, from a fighting family, told me today: “I haven’t been training for a southpaw, but I’ll get in there with anyone. I just want to fight.
“I want to be fighting in six rounders by the end of the year and if a Midlands title comes then, I’ll take it. I’d love to fight at British title level and if I can go farther, I’ll go farther.”
A lot of fighters – some with superb amateur CVs – are battling to get to British title level. They won’t all make it.
Importantly, Willetts is boxing beyond early expectations. More importantly, he loves the pro game and is amassing stories to tell his children.
“I’m really enjoying it,” he told me.
That’s what matters – everything else is a bonus. He’ll enjoy himself tomorrow, I have no doubt of that.