McCracken: Willetts can be world champ

Tori-Ellis Willetts…moved to 2-0 at the Eastside Rooms, Birmingham

TORI-ELLIS Willetts, the former outstanding amateur now making her mark as a pro, is a world champion in waiting.

That is the bold statement of Max McCracken, her trainer and manager – a man not prone to rash predictions.

The Sutton Coldfield bantam peeled off her second pro win on BCB’s show at the Eastside Rooms, Birmingham, on Sunday. Tori-Ellis dominated Wendellin Cruz over six rounds for a whitewash 60-54 scoreline.

That’s despite the Nicaraguan having an eight pound weight advantage and bags more experience. Cruz has fought 17 times and faced some real iron, the list including Jessica Barry, Ebonie Jones and Harli Whitwell.

Mind you, Tori-Ellis – a teacher by day - has the amateur pedigree to be fast-tracked. As a Team GB flyweight, she pretty much mopped up.

How is this for a CV? Twenty-nine fights, two time Elite English national championship, two time GB champion, beat the Commonwealth bronze medallist at Feliks Stamm tournament in Poland and beat the world silver medallist in France.

Cruz may be tough and tested, but she’s a few notches below the calibre of that opposition. Frankly, it showed – Tori-Ellis, aged 28, had too much of everything.

Max McCracken heaped praise on his boxer in the aftermath.

He said: “I’d be shocked if she didn’t win a world title, she has all the qualities. The girl was eight pounds heavier, she was tough and experienced.

“It was a great performance. If I have a criticism, it’s a thought Tori got a bit involved too much. She got drawn in at times.

“She come on loads and is a dream to train, always listening, always eager to learn. She’s up at five, in the gym at six, then goes to work, then back to me.

“The plan is to have Tori competing for titles by her fourth fight.”

Tori-Ellis fights again on September 9 in Sheffield, an opponent yet to be announced.

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