Goldsmith: don’t just call me a ticketseller

Bradley Goldsmith…fights in his home city on March 9

THE bums Bradley Goldsmith puts on seats for his performances are of rock festival proportions. Truly astonishing.

One March 9, the red hot middleweight prospect fights in his home city of Coventry for the first time in 14 months and only the second time in his career.

Goldsmith’s ring walk at the Skydome will be accompanied by a deafening roar from his army of fans. On Tuesday – with weeks to go until GBM Sports’ Ice Breaker bill and an opponent yet to be announced – Goldsmith has sold 486 tickets.

He collects a fresh batch within days. They, too, will sell like hotcakes. Such is the clamour to see the Sky Blue sporting hero, now unbeaten in nine.

“Physically, you couldn’t get more of a home coming,” Goldsmith told me. “I could walk to the venue from my mum’s house. That’s why people are buzzing.

“I’m not sure who I’m fighting, I like to stay away from that, leave it down to my team and trainer and do what is asked of me.

“I want a minimum of eight rounds for this one and if the opportunity comes in the meantime, that will be taken.”

The 25-year-old may be box office dynamite, but that ability to fill venues is definitely not the legacy he wants left behind.

“Yes, I’m a fantastic ticketseller,” he said, “and I’m very grateful that I’m loved and supported in my own city, but I can fight. I want to be known as a good fighter.”

To that end, the 25-year-old – a former vaunted amateur – has taken an old school approach to his early career. He’s moved to Sheffield to train under Dominic Ingle and has served his apprenticeship in small halls, away from the spotlight.

The bragging and bad mouthing that is now a frequently served appetiser in TV fight build-ups is not for him.

“I like to think I’ve been very authentic from the get-go,” he said. “I’m not one to scream and shout on social media. You meet people who do, find that they’re not really like that and think they’re a bit fake. I’ve always been genuine. When I’m in a position, you might see more attitude.

“The thing that irritates me is people calling people out for fights that are so far off they’ll never happen.”

After 12 months slowed by injury, Goldsmith is poised to make his mark – and believes next month’s show may be the springboard.

“For me, I’ve done it the hard way,” he said. “March 9 will catapult me to a better position. GMB shows are loud and fantastic and attract a lot of attention. That could be the breakthrough, but you have to keep going. I want to end this year with some lovely silverware around my waist.”

The young fighter has certainly made sacrifices in his bid for ring stardom, moving away from the comforts of home to chase the dream.

“In the beginning Sheffield was very difficult because I couldn’t cook, I had to do things may parents did for me,” Goldsmith admitted.

“Now I’ve become acclimatised to the life. If I’m home for a long period, I’m thinking about getting back because I’ve got a bit of an OCD streak. I have to have structure, things have to be organised, I have to know what I’m doing the next day.”

Within the game, Goldsmith is recognised as a talent and – to be honest – lesser fighters have gained slots on big, televised promotions. Bradley insists there’s no resentment.

“I now have a different outlook on the game,” he said. “I think everyone’s idea when they turn pro is fighting regularly, earning a lot of money and winning titles.

“The reality is, if you’re not selling tickets, you’re not earning. If you haven’t had a credible career, you’ll find it hard to get those steps up the ladder.”

Goldsmith believes his apprenticeship away from boxing’s bright lights will serve him well in the long run.

“I keep my head down, do the training, live the life and, in my mind, know it will pay off. On the small hall shows, I box later, I’ve got a big crowd behind me, I’m used to the things the big shows offer. It’s nothing I’m not ready for, I’ve rehearsed situations and scenarios. I just need to keep on doing what I’m doing.

“I’d love to fight for a major title next year, but I’m under no illusion I’m missing some experience.

“When my opportunity comes, I’m not going to be there to fill a gap, I’m going to be there to stay. I’m going to get myself there and stay there.”