THE career of apprentice pro Brad Willetts is progressing very nicely, judging by his performance at Chase Leisure Centre on Saturday.
The Black Country welter is certainly hitting with more venom, judging by the shots that clattered off Paul Scaiffe.
He did not manage to put the Sheffield journeyman’s lights out – not many do – and had to settle for a 40-34 whitewash.
The ring’s lights did go out, however. The start of the third round was delayed after one of the four floodlights surrounding the ring failed.
I’ll admit to being surprised by the rapid strides made by Dudley’s Willetts. From a white-collar background, I harboured doubts over what he would accomplish. I may one day have to eat humble pie.
Willetts has sailed his early pro apprenticeship, is now unbeaten in four, is heading in the right direction for a Midlands title fight and looked very good against Scaife: actually, the best I’ve seen him.
The uppercuts he threw from both hands and body shots were particularly impressive. The jabs, body and head, were hard.
Scaife, taking part in his 60th contest, was given a count after being dropped in Willetts’ corner in the second, which I felt a little harsh on referee Chris Dean’s part.
The knockdown seemed more of a slip, but a right hand definitely connected, so technically the official’s call was correct.
Scaife (10st 8lbs) ate plenty of rights in that round and things got worse for him when a point was deducted for hitting on the back of the head.
Willetts (10st 4lbs) opened up with both hands in the third before easing off the gas in a last round that saw Scaife attempt to scuffle forward.
Brad said afterwards: “What an amazing night! My first televised fight streamed on Talksport. Let’s get more big night of boxing in like this one and have more nights to remember.”
