FOR Tori-Ellis Willetts – a fighter who entered the pro ranks tipped for very big things – victory was everything.
Following defeat in a Commonwealth title clash last time out, the nature of that win took a backseat to erasing the memory of Willetts’ sole setback in six outing.
Defeat at the Holiday Inn, Birmingham Airport, on Friday night would not have been a disaster, but within touching distance of one.
For the Sutton Coldfield 29-year-old, there was a lot at stake – and she delivered, taking every session of her show-closing six-rounder against Stoke’s former Midlands super-featherweight champ Beccy Ferguson.
It was not a vintage performance from the former amateur star: I’ve seen her fight much better. Nerves were understandable and evident during the early encounters, but Willetts (9st 5lbs) warmed into the bout, went through the gears and by the final round was blazing away with both hands.
Southpaw Ferguson looked fleshy at 9st 12lbs and threw back sparingly. Beccy’s grit prevented her from being swamped.
After a tentative start, Willetts began to go through the gears in the second, her timing sharpened, spiteful left hooks found their target.
She opened-up with straight one-twos in the third and Ferguson was caught by an eye-catching right shortly before the end of the fourth.
It was now all Willetts. She forced Ferguson to the ropes in the fifth and unleashed salvos of head shots.
The sixth was a dominant round Tori-Ellis who ended the contest with a flourish, letting both hands go.
A win was everything. With that confidence-boosting performance, Willetts can again look for titles – and there are mouthwatering matches out there.
Topping that list is a possible English featherweight title clash with Coventry’s champion Jess Barry.
