Oliver: boxer with a barmy army of fans

Reagan Oliver celebrates his debut win last week

THIS old man’s ears are still ringing following the noise – chanting, cheering, screaming – that greeted Reagan Oliver’s professional debut.

At Birmingham’s Eastside Rooms, the volume was raised to heavy metal concert levels as Reagan stepped through the ropes.

And when the 24-year-old’s hand was raised after four one-sided rounds, good-natured bedlam broke out.

“It felt liked I was a world champ already,” Reagan, from Great Barr, told me.

On manager Anthony Manning’s “Nxt Gen” show last week, his mighty fanbase celebrated as if he’d won a world title.

It was pandemonium.

In truth, the super-bantam had achieved the highly predictable. He’d dominated Sean Jackson, a Manchester lad still searching for his first win after 12 contests.

To Reagan’s army of supporters, it didn’t matter. Love is blind and the final bell signalled a carnival of adulation.

Make no mistake, the game has gained a titanic ticket seller in Reagan. Oliver has gathered an army.

“The atmosphere hit me,” he admitted. “The supporters made me just want to keep going.”

Poster announcing Reagan’s pro career with Manning’s Management

Reagan is a man from a troubled past who has found salvation through boxing. And the father of three – his children are aged five, four and seven months – is candied about the indiscretions that led to him being sentenced to 18 months - and serving nine - for car theft.

“I feel it’s good people know,” he told me. “It’s good people know where you’ve come from and know the struggles.”

A product of Aston ABC, Oliver was a fine amateur before progress was disrupted by his wayward lifestyle.

He began boxing aged 14 and within two years and just 12 bouts had collected four Midlands titles and was crowned a national champ.

Reagan returned to the unpaid game in 2021 and reached a national final. “I did that after an eight week camp,” he told me. “I thought I won the final, but they gave it to the other kid – those things happen in amateur boxing.”

He has joined the paid ranks as a full-timer, training three times a day, with cousin Mason Lynn soon to take the role of main coach. “I have three kids, I need to get paid, I need boxing to be my job,” Reagan said. “I’m dedicated to boxing.

“I’ve got power for my weight, I’m a good learner, I have the mindset, I don’t mind having a fight. There’s a lot to learn, I’m learning to relax more.

“I can go all the way, I know I can get to British title level, 100 per cent. After 16 amateur bouts I sparred Liam Davies (current European super-bantam champ) and did well. They wanted me back.”

Reagan is a young man in a hurry.

“After my first fight, I just wanted to go again,” he said. “Anthony says I’ll be out again in September or October.”

You are going to hear a lot more about Reagan Oliver. And those living in close proximity to the venues he fights at will definitely hear his fans.