Boxill: the pro game gets big ticket-seller

Remi Boxill…makes his pro debut on May 4 in Birmingham

THOSE in Birmingham city centre on the night of May 4 should brace themselves for an ear-splitting roar.

That’s when Remi Boxill – a young man with a big following – makes his debut on manager Anthony Manning’s Eastside Rooms show.

The 21-year-old light-middle, from Birmingham’s Bromford district, reckons he’ll sell at least 200 tickets.

Judging by the army of social media followers Boxill has amassed, that’s no idle boast.

A construction worker by day, he’s turned over after 36 amateur bouts with 2nd City and Pat Benson gyms. Boxill says he won around 20.

“There will be nerves,” Boxill said of his big night, “but good nerves. I perform better when I’m nervous. I can’t wait, I’m ready right now. Fans can expect a dominant, explosive performance.

“I’m confident, I’ve left no stone unturned.”

It’s too early to predict what the boxer can achieve – he comes into the paid game without national titles to his name, but Boxill seems set to put a lot of bums on seats.

And he’s certainly not lacking in confidence.

“I believe I can go all the way,” he said, “and next year I’ll be knocking on the door for titles. The longer (pro) distances will suit me more. I can pick my shots with accuracy – it’s not rush, rush, rush. Anthony (Manning) has gone through it, round by round.”

“Power is one of my biggest attributes,” Boxill told me. “I have many styles – I can box at long range, I can be flash, I can switch-hit. And I have a big following.

“Fitting boxing training in with my day job (as a construction site ground worker) is hard, but the job helps. I love it, I love the physical part of the job.”

I’ll know more about what Boxill brings to the table on May 4. But, as an apprentice pro, he already possesses the best defence there is – he sells a shed-load of tickets.