Pettigrew moves up to six round contests

Ash Pettigrew…carpenter looking to carve out another victory

ASHLEY Pettigrew plans to call upon controlled aggression when he engages in competitive action for the first time since April.

He’s going up to six rounds at the Hangar Events Venue, in Wolverhampton, on Friday, September 15. BCB promote.

The boxing carpenter, from Doxey, Stafford, has carved out a 3-0 pro record, displaying speed and punch power in those contests.

Pettigrew debuted with a stoppage last year, damaging Sultan Ahmet’s nose before the fight was called off in round two.

He then outpointed Paul Cummings, taking every round, 40-36.

The 25-year-old’s last outing was against Naeem Ali, who had to climb off the floor in the second, but survived to lose 40-35.

Pettigrew splits his training between Stafford’s Fight Factory, where he’s coached by Ant Bailey, and BCB’s gym in Wednesbury.

His journey to the pro game came from the unlicensed circuit, where he collected 14 victories from 16 bouts, 10 of those by TKO.

Pettigrew said: “I’ve been ticking over. I train all year round. I want to be active, but I don’t want to rush things either. I’m taking my time.

“Now I’m looking to get straight back into it and get another one in before Christmas. That would put me on 6-0, with three fights per year, which is not a bad position to be in.

“I’m coming up to six rounds this time, which is more rounds in the ring and experience for me. I can take my time, which is not something that I’m used to!

“I’m a fast starter, so four rounds suited me, but you don’t win titles like that. If I want to reach the next level, this has to be done, so it’s progress.

“I’ve done six rounds in sparring plenty of times and eight on a couple of occasions. I know that the fitness is there, even after a few months out.

“It’s about controlling and picking the pace up when I need to. I’m looking forward to the challenge. This is at super-welter (light-middle) again and I feel comfortable there.

“I might even be able to do welter at a day before weigh-in, but that would be a bit of a risk. I’d probably have to do another one first, at welter, and see how I feel.

“It does seem like a while ago since my last fight. My opponent changed at late notice and the lad didn’t really want to know. He just tucked up and tried to stay away from me.

“I dropped him with a right hook to the body in the second round. When he got up, I got back behind the jab and stayed sharp. I was controlling aspect of the fight.”  

*Tickets for the Hangar bill are available, priced at £40 standard or £75 VIP ringside, directly from the boxers or by visiting myfighttickets.com.