Woolridge ponders a return to 11st division

Ryan Woolridge…back at the Bescot. Pic: MSN Images/BCB Promotions

SOMETHING special awaits tall Black Country middleweight Ryan Woolridge, his trainer believes.

What that is remains unclear, but 2025 is the year of title hunting for Woolridge, who takes part in his first eight rounder at Bescot Stadium, Walsall, on November 16.

The 24-year-old, from Bloxwich, deserves it. Thoroughly likeable, he turned pro after a fairly limited amateur career to build a 10 bout unbeaten run.

In the paid game, the real tests usually start after 10 for small hall fighters.

Part of BCB’s growing stable, Ryan has enjoyed ring success despite travelling the country by day as an electrician.

“Errol (BCB boss Errol Johson) and Paul (Mann) have said get through this fight and they’ve got something special planned for him next year,” said trainer Pete Hickenbottom. “What it is, I don’t know. Maybe a Midlands title fight or one of those inter-continental belts.

“I don’t think he and Troi (current Midlands middleweight champ Troi Coleman) will ever fight each other because they’re such big mates. It would be a shame if they fought.

“When Ryan turned pro I said, win the Midlands and anything after that is a bonus because of his lack of experience. It’ll be interesting to see where next year takes him.”

Surprisingly, Hickenbottom hasn’t ruled out a return to light-middleweight (11 stone) for the 6ft 2ins southpaw. That’s the weight division where it all started for the boxer dubbed “Rhino”.

“We’re four weeks away from the (Bescot) fight and he’s under 12 stone now,” said Hickenbottom. He was 11st 7lbs a week before his last fight. He could still probably do light-middle, but we’ll see how it goes.”

Hickenbottom, a former big punching pro, has turned Woolridge into an unexpected contender – and he paid tribute to the boxer’s commitment.

“I’m very pleased with him,” he said. “He deserves some success because he’s a model pro. He runs every morning and he runs miles – he’s very, very fit. Every time he spars he shows me something else.

“I’d like him to sit down on his punches a bit more because he has got a lot of power and he’s only really shown it once (second round stoppage of Martin Shaw last December – Ryan’s only inside distance win).

“His last fight (six round points win over Serge Ambomo) was a box ticked because he fiddled his way out of some trouble and put it on him in the late rounds. He looks a good pro. I’ve seen Ryan sparring good lads and more than hold his own.”

Hickenbottom added: “Boxing is a shooting star of a career. You’ve got to make the most of it, then get out.”