Coley oozes class in beating Pollard

Brad Coley reflects on a job well done

BRAD Coley – one half of a talent pair of blood brothers – looks a very useful addition to the pro ranks.

The Birmingham super-bantam bossed his four rounder against Jake Pollard at Solihull’s Planet Ice last night (Saturday), for a 40-36 whitewash.

The dominance was to be expected. Bradford’s Pollard has now lost all 48 professional contest and was in survival mode from the echoes of the opening bell. He ended the bout reddened and swollen around the left eye.

Much stiffer tests await Coley, younger brother of fellow prospect Lewis, and it will be entertaining watching his rise through the ranks.

Taking part in his second pro bout, Coley (8st 10lbs) – left hand slung low in a “Philly shell” stance – prowled, slid home jabs and pounded Pollard’s body as if tenderising a steak.

A particularly hard left to the midriff in the second had Pollard (8st 9lbs) in desperate retreat in the second and with each session Brad slid through the gears.

By the fourth, Coley was firing on all cylinders and hitting with real spite. A one-two – right hook, left hook – rattled against Pollard’s ribs and the outclassed visitor appeared relieved to hear the final bell.

Brad – another fine product of Kingstanding’s 2nd City gym – is a young man not lacking in confidence.

When asked what he felt he could achieve, the apprentice pro said: “Infinity! I’ve been boxing since the age of five.”

Trainer James Thomas is, understandably, excited about Coley’s future.

In the dressing room, he told me: “We’ve worked on the American style ‘shell’ and there’s a lot more to come. Brad is a real student of the game and he’s hungry to learn.

“What we need is regular, consistent sparring.”