Shannon Willey has gone back to basics as he attempts to get back to winning ways and preserve his unbeaten record.
Willey goes again at the Holiday Inn Queensway, in Birmingham city centre, on Friday (June 16), under the BCB Promotions banner.
He stepped up to six rounds, in his last outing, and could not be parted from Petar Alexsandrov, the two battling to a points draw.
After an eye-catching start, where Willey landed a lead left hook that seemed to stun his opponent, Alexsandrov came back into it. The final score was 57-57.
While not experiencing a defeat, the 29-year-old welterweight, who is from Exeter, was disappointed with his output and has vowed to make amends.
He had previously taken just one round to beat Phil Price, by stoppage, and currently has a pro record of four wins and that draw, with three other points successes.
Willey made his debut last year and went on to outpoint Naeem Ali, MJ Hall and Karlo Wallace, fighting four times within the first 11 months of his pro career.
His amateur exploits were mostly spent representing Lympstone Boxing Club, after starting out at Exeter BC, racking up 44 bouts, with 19 victories among them.
While seeing the world with his girlfriend Georgia, Willey also boxed in Australia and went up against Valentin Kondakov, who represented Samoa at the 2018 Commonwealth Games.
He said: “I’ve been sharpening up my game, since my last fight, and trying to put right the stuff that I did wrong in that performance. I don’t think that I did myself justice on that night.
“It was great for learning, but I don’t think that I did myself justice. I was drawn into his game-plan and got suckered into a brawl.
“He got off quick and probably won the first couple of rounds, when I should have boxed at range, but I didn’t give up and kept trying to push on.
“I had my best rounds, from there, until the last one. He might have finished the stronger there and may have landed the cleaner shots.
“I knew it was close, too close for comfort really, and a draw seemed like the fair result. I’ve got to learn from that and now I’ve got the chance.
“I want to be as active as I can, so I was in the gym a day after we got the call for this date. I’d been ticking over with my fitness and sparring anyway.
“I’ve upped the rounds and I’m pleased with how my training camp has gone. I had about five weeks to get ready, which has been fine to get the weight down.
“I’ve got a four-rounder to get me warmed up again and then, hopefully, I’m going back to six rounds. I’ll stick to my boxing, use the ability that I have and get back to winning ways.”
Tickets for the Holiday Inn bill are available, priced at £40 standard or £75 VIP ringside, directly from the boxers or by visiting myfighttickets.com.
