Willetts notches-up hat-trick of pro wins

Brad Willetts celebrates success at the Holiday Inn

BRAD Willetts, a fighter who entered the pro ranks from a white collar background, is proving the welterweight division’s surprise package.

He’s certainly better than I initially thought he’d be. The Dudley 25-year-old is sharp and possesses a good ring IQ.

What’s more, the lad – a warehouse packer by day – is popular, with around 120 tickets sold for his four rounder last Sunday at Birmingham Airport’s Holiday Inn.

He ticked another box on the bill, jointly promoted by Jon Pegg and Scott Murray, by facing his first southpaw. And Brad (10st 4lbs) didn’t have it all his own way in picking up his third win on the spin.

Dublin’s Jacob Marrer (10st 8lbs) was tough and game. He looked better than his 0-8 tally and took the third on my card before dropping a 39-37 decision. Marrer proved a perfect opponent for someone serving his ring apprenticeship.

And that should not be forgotten. Willetts, trained by dad Steve and Les Sharratt, remains a work in progress – there are more rivers to cross, but he is moving in the right direction and at the correct pace. There are more tricks to be learned.

The likeable Black Country lad is also showing the dedication needed. Brad rises at 4.15 for roadwork, engages in hard labour at work, then it’s an evening of gym graft.

“People think I’m weird, but I love it,” he said. “I’m someone who loves the dedication. I’m boxing for the love of it and to change my life, like everyone else.

“I’ve come to the pros without any sort of amateur background, so I feel I’m a step behind everyone else.”

Marrer made Willetts work without threatening to rain on his parade.

“I did what I was supposed to do,” Brad said. “I have worked a lot on boxing, not fighting. I felt I was sharper and stronger. I’m always my toughest critic, but I’m happy with the way it went. I had to change to a southpaw opponent late and he was tough and game. I felt my shots and calmness were quite impressive, I’m happy with the weight I came in at.

“The power is there – I hurt him a few times in that fight. I did suffer an injury in the second, but didn’t show it. This is boxing, not tap-dancing.”

Matches will get progressively tougher for Brad as his journey continues.

“I’ve just got the keep bagging the wins in,” he said. “I feel I’m ready for a six rounder – whether it comes in my next fight or the fight after doesn’t matter. I’d love to end the year with a Midlands Area title fight, that’s what I’d love to do.

“I’m not going to put a roof on myself as far as how far I can go, but believe I can reach British title level.”

So do Brad’s army of followers.

He added: “The people who come to my fights are people who come back. There are new faces, but 80 per cent of people who buy the tickets are re-buyers. They’ve seen something they like.”

Brad’s convinced that by the end of the year, so will a lot of others.