Goodchild itching for test over six rounds

Connor Goodchild….had too much for a tough Bulgarian

THERE’S a lot of noise being made about fledgling welter Connor Goodchild.

And that noise is coming from his army of supporters. The Kings Norton 24-year-old enjoys a large fanbase.

And when you start off in the game, that’s the best defence a fighter can have. No promoter wants to see a ticket-seller lose.

At the H Suite, Edgbaston, on Friday night, Goodchild, who works on a building site by day, peeled off his fourth straight win, one by stoppage, all scheduled for the novice four round distance.

As ever, bull-built Bulgarian Petar Alexandrov, who fought – and lost – in Dudley the week before, came to fight. The man may be technically limited, but he’s strong and tough as teak.

But Connor, under thw tutelage of Spencer McCracken Snr and Jnr, is developing nicely.

Goodchild brought an army of fans to the venue and they near raised the roof off the building when Alexandrov was frozen by a single shot in the first.

In his first outing for nine months, Goodchild kept the pressure on, but couldn’t find the punches to budge Alexandrov. The local favourite had to settle for a 40-37 victory on referee Kevin Parker’s card.

We’ll know more about Goodchild when he embarks on his first six rounder. Hopefully, that’ll be the next test.

He told me today: “He was a very, very tough lad. With six rounds I would’ve got him out of there.

“I was as happy with the performance as I can be – I’ll never be totally happy with my performance. Watching it back, I boxed better than I thought I did.

“I want to box six rounds as soon as possible. There’s a big show at Resorts World next month and I’d love to be a part of that. That’s what I want, big shows, but beggars can’t be choosers. I’m definitely out in June at Dudley Town Hall.”

Goodchild is certainly a man who believes in grafting for success.

He’s up at 4am for road work, then comes a gruelling job as a ground-worker, then the bullet sweat graft of a gym session.

A product of Pat Benson Boxing Academy, he captured a string of Midlands amateur titles, but just fell short at national level.

Connor walked away from the sport aged 17 and returned five years later.

Originally from Stechford, he has fought at light-middle, but stressed his future lies among the welters: “A full camp, four weeks off work (for a significant bout), I’d make 10st 7lbs no problem.

“I’d box for the Midlands title tomorrow, but I understand I need a six rounder. I want a good, tough fight.”

Of his army of fans, Connor said: “The support goes a long way, I don’t think people realise that, they don’t realise how important it is. If you don’t have the support you’re thrown to the back of the queue.”

How far does the fledgling fighter think he can go?

“I want to win a British title,” he said. “You have to manifest it and believe it every day. The (Lonsdale) Belt is the most beautiful belt in boxing and I’d be so proud to have it. That is my dream.

“The professional game is great, but it can be a bit cliquey. It’s a good lifestyle to have.

“I’ve got power. People I’ve sparred say I hit hard, they say I’ve got dynamite in my hands and I’m only warming-up after three rounds. I can’t wait for the championship rounds when you can really put your foot on the gas.

“I can mix it up. I can spar a lad and just use the jab in the first round, then go to war. I can box and I can beat up.”