Oliver: This is going all way to world level

Reagan Oliver…back at Eastside Rooms, Birmingham, on September 30

REAGAN Oliver, a man with a huge fan base, admitted matter-of-factly: “If it wasn’t for boxing, I’d be in jail now.”

He slipped off the straight and narrow, served time for car theft, but is now dedicated to bringing titles back to Great Barr.

To that end, the 24-year-old super-bantam appears on manager Anthony Manning’s September 30 show at Eastside Rooms, Birmingham – setting for his raucous debut in June when he outpointed Sean Jackson.

It seemed the entire population of Great Barr had turned out to witness the event. They chanted and celebrated as if a world title had been won.

This time, Oliver faces Stephen Jackson, a 40 fight veteran on a long losing streak who has tested a succession of prospects.

He is the brother of Sean Jackson, Reagan informed me.

His debut may have been a memorable spectacle, but the former fine Birmingham amateur was less than happy with his performance.

“I was looking for the knockout,” said the father-of-three. “I didn’t show nothing of what I can do. This time I’ll be sharper. I won’t go looking for the stoppage, but if the opening comes I’ll take it.”

Business at the box office is just as brisk as for his debut. “I’ve been given 220 tickets to sell and I’ve done 120 in the first week.

“Last time, I didn’t really put it out on social media. The people who came were the people who know me, respect me and respect my journey.”

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 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 taken to the pro game like a duck to water.

“I love it, I love boxing,” he told me. “It keeps me fit and healthy. Without it, I’d be dossing around eating rubbish.”

Those that attend on September 30 will be witnessing the start of something very special, he promised.

“This goes beyond British level,” he promised. “It goes to world level, 100 per cent.”