Mitchell joins team for Willetts’ crucial fight after first loss

Tori-Ellis Willetts…faces Beccy Ferguson on Friday night

A NEW high-profile figure has been added to Tori-Ellis Willetts’ team for her return after suffering a first career loss.

In the corner on Friday night, alongside trainer Karly Gee, will be former British and European heavyweight title challenger Clifton Mitchell. Since retiring from the ring, the Derby man has carved out a topflight career as a manager and trainer and worked with some of the business’ biggest names.

He’s been called in for a fight at the Holiday Inn, Birmingham Airport, that Tori-Ellis’ manager Nathaniel Howell has dubbed “super important”.

The Sutton Coldfield super-bantam is looking to get back on track after tasting defeat last September in her biggest fight to date. With the Commonwealth and WBO international belts on the line, Tori-Ellis was dropped and outpointed by Tysie Gallagher.

It was a surprise setback for a 29-year-old I’ve described as the best female fighter on the scene – a former outstanding amateur seen by good judges as a world champ in waiting.

My criticism of that performance ruffled feathers: one individual described me as a “hater” with an agenda.

I am not. For whatever reason – whether bright light nerves or the step-up coming too soon, Tori-Ellis did not perform the way she can. She looked a shadow of the skilful boxer who had sparkled in her previous five outings.

The Tori-Ellis I have witnessed from ringside was absent.

Manager Howell, a pro fighter with a business background, told me everyone in the team carried the weight of that disappointment. All have reflected on what they could have done differently.

I still believe. Tori-Ellis will put that showing behind her and become a force on the world stage.

In the opposite corner for Friday’s six rounder is Stoke’s gritty former super-featherweight champ Beccy Ferguson.

She’s tough, but has been beaten by local fighters Jess Barry, Sian O’Toole and Vicky Wilkinson. I expect Willetts to be too sharp, speedy and well-schooled.

Howell said: “It’s super important for a number of reasons. It’s importance to get Tori back on winning ways, work on the mistakes made and restore confidence. We wanted to get her back out as soon as possible, but it wasn’t to be. She trained over Christmas. The camp has gone really well.”

Howell described the addition of Howell to the team as a “no brainer”.

“Clifton is amazing,” he said, “he has so much experience. He has been in the corner with Tyson Fury, he has been involved in big fights, he was a great fighter and is a great ambassador for the sport.”

After Friday night, Tori-Ellis will again search for belts, Howell stressed.

He added: “We want to hit the ground running. One hundred per cent we want a title fight, but it has to be the right title fight.

“If you look at the landscape, where Tori is competing, a lot of the girls have taken a loss early and gone on to win something.”