Master blaster Sam makes his pro debut
Littlechild starts his pro journey with manager Jon Pegg
THE landscape has changed dramatically since Sam Littlechild – a sawn-off powerhouse puncher – announced he was turning pro way back in June, 2023.
For starters, the product of Kingstanding’s mighty 2nd City gym has moved north of the border. Sam, from Tamworth, met a girl and relocated to Dunfermline where he works for a removal company.
That means training camps are no longer conducted under the watchful eye of 2nd City boss Paddy Farrell. Sam’s gym is now in Paisley.
Issues over a brain scan – now resolved – and the switch to Scotland put the cruiserweight’s career on ice.
But Sam finally gets to step through the ropes for the first time as a professional fighter on February 22 at Coventry’s Sports Connexion Leisure Club. In the opposite corner will be Chris “Freedom” King, a Birmingham based Ghanian who has won his sole paid contest.
Freedom, I believe, is heading for a fall because 26-year-old Littlechild’s CV show he is a “banger”, a man who hits with real KO authority.
He is a master blaster. In 2023, his final year as an amateur, Sam stopped five opponents. In that season’s Haringey Cup, staged at Alexandra Palace, Irishman Kyle Roch was demolished with a body shot that echoed around the arena. In all, the KO king won 21 of 25 contests.
He won the development championships – and three of the five opponents he faced in that tournament failed to make it to the final bell.
Fans at ringside on February 22 can expect the floor beneath them to shake as Littlechild unloads.
“Expect excitement,” Sam said. “It’s been a long time coming. I want to take this (career) as far as I can. Sometimes things aren’t plain sailing and smooth, but I believe in my ability.”
Things have been far from smooth for Sam. It took a battery of test and a specialist’s input before he was given the all-clear to box.
“There were times when it could’ve been so easy to walk away,” he admitted, “but you can’t get out of something you have put so much time in and love so much.”
Sam intends to fight out of the West Midlands, where his family and friends are, and gradually establish himself on the Scottish circuit, too. He plans to chase titles as a light-heavy.
Months on the sidelines have shown Sam how precarious a profession boxing is: it can be over in the blink of an eye. Second City gym mate Niall Farrell – a Team GB star – was unbeaten as a pro, named Midlands prospect of the year and heading for stardom before a hand injury tragically ended his career.
“It’s a brutal, unforgiving business,” he added. “You can be at your best, suffer an injury and be out of the game. I know a number of fighters that’s happened to.”
Sam is keeping his feet firmly on the ground. He aims to make the most of his time in the sport – and that means unleashing mayhem in the ring.
The local scene has gained a crowd-pleaser.