Newcomer Willetts is ‘ready to rumble’

Brad Willetts...first fight next week. Pic: Through The Lens Photography

BRAD Willetts is a fledgling fighter who doesn’t believe in superstitions.

That’s why the Black Country light-middle makes his pro bow on Friday the 13th. The venue for next week’s baptism is Birmingham Airport’s Holiday Inn. “I’ll take the gamble,” he laughed.

At 24, Brad, from Dudley, enters the game without fanfare. “I’m a bit of a mystery man,” he said. “Not many people know about me, but, hopefully, we’ll get there.”

And Brad, who, by day, works as a warehouse packer, refuses to make lofty predictions about the major titles that await. He is grounded. He has a following and around 100 will buy tickets for his first outing.

“I’d love to eventually challenge for some sort of belt,” Brad told me. “Being a professional is an honour and I just want to go as far as I can go.

“I’ve loved boxing my whole life and just wanted to turn a hobby into a profession.”

From a boxing background – dad Steve was an amateur, his grandfather a Royal Navy champ, Brad had a handful of junior bouts with Priory Park and, as a senior, competed on the white-collar circuit. He lost only one of nine.

He is trained by his dad and Les Sharratt at Cradley Heath’s Golden Gloves gym and managed by Jon Pegg.

“The past 10 to 12 weeks have been the best training camp I’ve ever had,” Brad said. “Jon (Pegg) says I’m getting better with every week.”

So what can fans expect from the mystery man?

“My style is rough and ready,” Brad added. “Dig deep or box on the outside – I’m happy to do both. I’m always ready to rumble.

“There’ll definitely be nerves next Friday, but good nerves,” he added. “They’ll keep me sharp. There will also be a lot of excitement.

“I’m hoping to sell 100 tickets each time I box, but I’m a realist. I have a good following and they have played a part in getting tickets sold, which is so important. Without their help, I couldn’t do what I’m doing.”