Ashley Pettigrew continues to soak it all in after an explosive introduction to life as a pro.
The sequel comes when BCB Promotions are back in the Black Country at Dudley’s the Venue, on the Friday evening of October 7.
Pettigrew turned over under the same lights, in June, and took less than two rounds to dispose of Sultan Ahmet, who had blood pouring from his nose.
The 24-year-old super welterweight, from the village of Doxey in Stafford, came into the pro ranks from the unlicensed circuit, where he also displayed power.
He boxed out of Stafford’s Fight Factory gym for 16 unlicensed bouts, winning 14 of them with 10 of those outings, tellingly, ending by TKO.
His maiden stoppage as a pro is already on the board and he’s learning on the job while training, sparring or watching his stable-mates at the busy BCB base in Wednesbury.
Sparring has come with the likes of Midlands welterweight champion Jamie Stewart, English middleweight boss Tyler Denny and area title contender Shaun Cooper.
Pettigrew brought coach Ant Bailey with him into the pro game and the part-time plasterer is picking up experience from all quarters, through his preparations.
He said: “I went on a couple of holidays, after my last fight, to Turkey and Mexico and I got back in July. I’ve been back in the gym for 12 weeks and had an eight-week camp.
“I’m sparring area and national level lads and giving a good account of myself. I also spend a lot of time watching the other BCB professionals and seeing everything that’s going on.
“I listen to what I’m told about boxing, whether that’s from fighters or my corner. I think that made a difference on my debut and I was happy with the result.
“My coaches told me to stand my ground and let my hands go. I’m a good body puncher and I caught with a left hook to the body, then again to the head.
“The referee jumped in before he got hurt any more and, to me, that was the right decision. I sort of knew I was going to stop the guy, that’s why I started so fast.
“I’ve got a bit of experience but, before that, none of it at amateur or pro level. People asked me if it was different, my debut, but it felt the same. A fight is a fight to me.
“I can’t expect a stoppage every time, so I’m conditioned to go the distance. My debut was at super welter, but I could probably make welter, at a day before weigh-in.”
Tickets for the Venue bill are available, priced at £40 standard or £75 VIP ringside with buffet, directly from the boxers or by visiting myfighttickets.com.
