Harrison Pettitt’s personal journey will come around full circle when he makes his professional boxing debut with a new lease of life.
What he’s been through really puts sport into perspective, but the sweet science has equally played a part in Pettitt’s revival.
It’s been 10 years since he last stepped through the ropes for a competitive contest, with the boy that boxed back then now a man.
He first punches for pay when BCB Promotions are back at Walsall Town Hall, for fight night, on Saturday March 28. The show has been titled ‘March Mayhem.’
Tragedy has struck Pettitt more than once, starting when his grandfather, Larry Tremble, died when he was 17. He hasn’t boxed since.
He then became a father, at the age of 23, but his daughter, Mielah Rose, passed away from a sudden illness when she was just nine days old.
Pettitt has had to summon every ounce of mental strength to get himself back on track, with dreams of pro boxing glory helping to occupy his mind.
His day job as a delivery driver for Amazon keeps him in gainful employment and he feels like on the right road for sporting success, thanks to a little help from his friends.
Helping him on that path is Brad Foster, a British and Commonwealth champion at super bantam, and his dad Martin Foster.
Pettitt was there to support Brad in his successful defence against Lucien Reid on February 22 – the fourth anniversary of his daughter’s death.
Martin will lead him into battle and the family name does have a prior presence in the pro ranks. His uncle, Steve Pettitt, is a former Midlands cruiserweight title winner.
His nephew’s short amateur run, which was a decade ago, saw him rack up four bouts, representing Pleck and later Walsall Wood Boxing Club.
The 27-year-old, who was born in Walsall but now lives in Lichfield, will join the same division where his amateur experience came, super lightweight.
He said: “It was always my aim to box again, but things happen that knock you back. I fell out of love with it, firstly when my grandad died.
“He taught me a lot about boxing, from an early age, and my uncle Steve had a good pro career so, as a family, we’ve always been into it.
“I took it badly when my daughter passed away, it was a big battle for me mentally and I wasn’t well for quite a while but, eventually, I managed to turn my life around.
“I’d ballooned up to 17 and a half stone, too, so I’ve had to drop around seven stone to be able to make super lightweight again.
“I also tore the distal tendon in my bicep, so I couldn’t even work for a while, but I’ve got another job now and it’s going well.
“I got the weight off myself, but it was Brad and Martin that got me back into a boxing gym. They’re good mates of mine and Martin is my coach now.
“I’ve always been strong and powerful, but they’ve added more skills to that and we’ve tweaked a few things that I do.
“I just want to go out there and enjoy my debut now, I’ll be savouring every moment. I know how short life can be. Boxing has given me focus and something to strive for.
“I don’t want to be a one-hit wonder, either. I plan to have a career out of it and who knows where that might lead. The sky’s the limit.”
Top professionals under BCB’s stewardship fill out the rest of the card, most of whom are looking to make their mark at national level.
Ricky Summers is expecting to go again in 2020, after being previously thwarted in his attempts to land major domestic prizes.
James Beech Jr is knocking on the door of higher honours, after becoming a two-weight Midlands champion during the course of 2019.
Troi Coleman is an unbeaten prospect from Burntwood, while Rachel Ball has moved into position for the Commonwealth crown but could drop to super bantam.
Brummie prospect Tommy Collins and another debutant, Northampton’s Sam Daly, complete the line-up.Collins is 2-0 as a pro whilst Daly, a graduate of Kings Heath Boxing Club in his hometown, punches for pay at super welterweight, after a solid amateur grounding.
Tickets for the Town Hall bill are on sale now, priced at £35 standard or £65 VIP ringside with buffet, and can be purchased by calling the BCB Box Office on 07493 582 261.
