Ryan makes dream start to pro career
Ryan Woolridge…looking for fifth straight win this month
BLOXWICH has certainly got behind its new boxing hope.
And Ryan Woolridge’s bouts have become something of a fistic carnival with his army of fans waving inflatable giraffe’s.
That’s decidedly odd. The 22-year-old’s ring nickname is Rhino. Perhaps they couldn’t find anywhere selling blow-up rhinoceros.
Things are certainly happening very quickly for the lofty – 6ft 1ins – southpaw light-middle. Ryan entered the pro game without fanfare, having won 12 of 20 unpaid bouts for Great Wyrley ABC and lifting the East Midlands Cup.
Nevertheless, Ryan – one of the game’s larger than life characters – has certainly hit the ground running.
He’s won his first four on points – the last one his first venture into six rounds territory – and next performs at Birmingham’s Eastside Rooms on February 25.
The adventure is gathering pace – and even Ryan admits he sometimes has to pinch himself.
“It hasn’t really sunk in yet,” he said. “If you look back from where I came from, it’s been one of those journeys where every win to me is as if I’ve won a world title.
“I went down the gym to lose weight – I was a big lad when I was younger – and got bitten by the bug.
“Pete (trainer and Great Wyrley ABC boss Pete Hickenbottom) suggested giving the pro game a go. Pete always says he turned pro a bit late. He’s got knowledge and experience and a lot of my decisions are through Pete. He’s clued up. I bit the bullet and I’m glad I did it.”
“With the amateurs, it was a fight at a couple of days notice, travel to a social club, fight, chat with your opponent afterwards and then home. All exciting. The pros are a lot more structured.”
To date, Pete’s advice has paid dividends. There’s a long road ahead, however.
Ryan’s dedication is also a big factor in the early success. His day starts with roadwork at 5.30am, then it’s the day job as an electrician – employment that takes him all over the country, then the grind of the gym.
He’s grounded enough to take the pro journey one step at a time – and avoid rash predictions.
“I have the right people around me,” said Ryan. “What will be will be, there’s no rush. I want to be 8-0 or 9-0 by the end of the year, then look at titles next year. I’ll be a man by then.
“I’d like to step-up to eight rounds because I feel I get better the longer a fight goes on.”
“I feel every fight, there’s something I’ve taken away from it. My last fight was my toughest. He (Dwain Grant) was a switch-hitter, a middleweight, the bigger man and awkward. He was your worst nightmare.
“I took a lot from that fight, every fight has been a massive lesson.”
Despite his stature, Ryan stressed there are no immediate plans to move-up to middle.
He said: “As it stands, because I’m young the weight comes off easily. And I’m definitely hitting harder. In my second fight, I dropped Paul Cummings in the second and not many drop him.”
What Ryan will go on to achieve remains a matter of conjecture. One fact has already emerged, however – Rhino is box office magic. He flogged 180 tickets for his debut.
If promoters BCB can gain an established venue in Walsall, those numbers will double.
“The away fights are a hard sell,” Ryan said. “The people who give their time and money, I’m really appreciative.
“I prefer the old school approach, going round pubs, talking to people instead of social media – that’s how I sell tickets.
“Also talking to people at the football – I’m a Walsall season ticket holder.”
Away from the game, Ryan is a very handy golfer and enthusiastic angler. “I don’t really have time for either now,” he added.
Ryan remains a work in progress. But even die-hard fight fans are surprised by the speed of Rhino’s charge through the ratings.
*Ryan asked to thank the following sponsors: Taundry Doors, Smart Factory Solutions, Direct Access, Limitless and Plum Logo.