Tori-Ellis Willetts is determined to find her feet in the pro ranks quickly and accelerate towards further prizes.
She can make it a hat-trick of pro wins October 20th at the Holiday Inn Queensway, in Birmingham city centre, on the undercard of the British title rematch between Ijaz Ahmed and Marcel Braithwaite.
Willetts has every right to feel confident, after a host of amateur accolades, which saw her feature at international level and for the Team GB podium squad.
The 28-year-old bantamweight was a two-time England Elite national titleist and a double Tri-Nations champion, with Multi-Nations gold and silver medals gained internationally.
That’s despite not taking up boxing until the age of 18, having transitioned from kickboxing, where we won multiple honours, including a gold medal at the World Championship.
Both of those experiences came to an end last year when Willetts decided to undertake a Level 4 Sports Coach Apprenticeship and turn pro with boxing.
She is now a PE teacher, working at the Chilwell Croft Academy in Newtown, Birmingham, which is not far from her Sutton Coldfield home.
‘The Tornado’ has navigated her way through a whirlwind year, under the tutelage of coach Max McCraken, and has reached 2-0, as a pro.
Her debut resulted in a maiden TKO, as she dismantled Klaudia Ferenczi, inside three rounds, before a six-round points whitewash success over Wendellin Cruz.
“I was soon back in the gym, I’m not very good at taking it easy. I’ve, basically, been through two training camps. I had a cold, too, but I still pushed on.
“I’m a Birmingham girl, my dad lives there. Mum was in Nuneaton, but she’s moved out to Spain. I’ll go and see her after the fight, like I did after my last one.
“I’ve got a week off, this time, and then I’ll fly out during half-term. I can still keep up with training, as I’ve found a local gym over there that’s pretty good.
“The feeling of making my debut is something that I’ll never forget, to have all of my friends and family there with me. To get the stoppage was even better.
“My jab was too much for her. When I let my hands go, she was done for. To have my second fight in my home city, with even more of my people there, was brilliant, too.
“The opponent was heavier than me and tried to spoil my work. She could take a shot, though, and I caught her with some heavy punches.
“This should be my last six-rounder, I’m planning to go up to eight rounds and get out again, by the end of the year. After that, I’ll be ready for titles.”
Tickets for the Holiday Inn bill are available, priced at £40 standard or £80 VIP ringside, directly from the boxers or by visiting myfighttickets.com