Tori-Ellis faces tough Bulgarian on title bill

Tori-Ellis Willetts….fights in front of home fans on Friday

TORI-Ellis Willetts, one of the country’s hottest female prospects, will face tough Bulgarian Ivanka Ivanova at the Holiday Inn, Birmingham city centre, on Friday.

The BCB show is topped by Ijaz Ahmed’s British super-flyweight title tilt.

It’s a very decent test for Sutton Coldfield bantam Tori who is chasing her third straight win. Ivanova is seasoned, with 32 bouts (six wins, three draws), has travelled the 10 round distance, faced quality opposition around the world and is coming off a win.

For any other fledgling pro, it would be considered a surprisingly big ask. But Tori, a PE teacher by day, is considered something special after amassing a glittering amateur career.

She is being moulded into a pro champ by Max McCracken, one of the best trainers in the business.

Fans should pop along to the Holiday Inn and witness the girl in action: Tori won’t be on the small hall circuit for very long.

Take a look at the former Army boxer’s amateur achievements and you’ll see why she’s already creating a stir: Twenty-nine fights, two time Elite English national championship, two time GB champion, beat the Commonwealth bronze medallist at Feliks Stamm tournament in Poland and beat the world silver medallist in France.

Max McCracken has set the bar high.

He told me: He said: “I’d be shocked if she didn’t win a world title, she has all the qualities.

“She come on loads and is a dream to train, always listening, always eager to learn. She’s up at five, in the gym at six, then goes to work, then back to me.

“The plan is to have Tori competing for titles by her fourth fight.”

Tori said: “I was supposed to be boxing last month (September 9), but it didn’t happen. I only found out the week before that it was off, during my last proper training session. 

“I was soon back in the gym. I’m not very good at taking it easy. I’ve basically been through two training camps. I had a cold, too, but I still pushed on. 

“I’m a Birmingham girl, my dad lives there. Mum was in Nuneaton, but she’s moved out to Spain. I’ll go and see her after the fight, like I did after my last one. 

“This should be my last six-rounder, I’m planning to go up to eight rounds and get out again by the end of the year. After that, I’ll be ready for titles.”