AFTER a dream start, Brad Willetts has encountered the first hurdle in his way to bigger and better things.
Shoulder and chest injuries, suffered in training, have forced the Dudley welter to withdraw from Scott Murray’s huge February 7 title show at Cannock Chase Leisure Centre.
And it’ll be some months before Brad is fit enough to fight again.
He has, however, taken the news on the chin, vowing: “The comeback’s always bigger than the setback.”
And that setback can’t take the shine off a sterling start to Willetts’ professional journey. A product of the white collar circuit, Brad entered the game without expectation, has bagged four wins and, importantly, grown with each outing.
He has an exciting, all-action style and noisy, growing fanbase. Brad, who works in a parcel warehouse, has ticked a lot of boxes in the ring.
Last time out, against Paul Scaife at the Chase Leisure Centre in September, Willetts showed more spite and punching power.
He is proving a lot of judges wrong – including this writer. I looked at the 25-year-old’s background and, in truth, saw little to get excited about. Brad’s performances to date have been a bit of a revelation. He’s come from the blind side.
“It’s been awesome,” Willetts agreed. “To be where I am after four fights, it’s crazy and I feel I’m getting better. I’m over the moon, so far.
“I always expected something, but to be in the talks about going for a Midlands title is something I didn’t expect so quickly.
“You become professional to win titles, to be in the talks so quickly is wicked. There’s been a conversation about challenging for it (the Midlands title) by the middle or end of 2026. If that opportunity’s there, I’m not going to say no.”
Willetts wants that opportunity to come at the weight below. “I can come down to super-light, no problem,” he insisted. “I was 10st 3lbs for the last one, and that was an on-the-day weigh-in.”
It’s important not to get carried away. To date, Willetts has faced the usual suspects – journeymen with losing records, has yet to register a stoppage and is still at the four round apprenticeship stage.
But last time he did what many have failed to do – drop battle-hardened Scaife on the way to a drubbing. Dudley folk are beginning to take notice, the support is swelling.
“(My fans) are the best ever,” he said. “That was the one thing I had no expectations about – how many people would come out and support me. I can’t thank them enough, they make these nights possible.”
Brad plans to reward them with belts.
“I’ll be 26 next year,” he said. “I’ll be 26 by the time of my next fight. I want to push for bigger and better things because time waits for nobody. I don’t want to be stuck in the mud.
“The power is coming on and I showed it in my last fight. I dropped him in the second, hurt him throughout and was thinking, ‘how is he still standing?’ If I don’t knock you out with power, I’ll stop you with pressure.”
It’s too early to describe Willetts as a prospect, but he’s within touching distance of the description.
Next year may also see him emerge as a contender.
