After several years of juggling life as a busy electrician Ryan Woolridge has made the decision to dedicate more time to his boxing career and the unbeaten middleweight will put his new regime in to practice for the first time on BCB’s ‘Second City Showdown’ at the Eastside Rooms in Birmingham on June 15th.
“It is a completely different way of training said Woolridge. I can spar in the day and have upped my hill runs from maybe once a week to three times that. I spoke to Tyler Denny and other lads that have gone full time to get their advice and if I want to box at that level it is something they all said I had to do. I am still doing jobs here and there and looking for new sponsors to come on board at this important stage in my career.
The 23-year-old from Bloxwich had picked up eight wins from eight since his debut back in 2021 but a conclusive knockout victory had evaded him. That changed in February when he blew away Martin Shaw with a highlight reel combination at the home of his beloved Walsall FC inside two rounds. It was a moral boosting moment for the rangey southpaw that showed he can punch as well as box.
“The plan going into the fight was to get him out of there early as Martin is the kind of guy who comes looking to throw punches and he doesn’t just tuck up and defend. I had the confidence I could catch him but he landed a decent shot on me in the first round so I had to pull it together and when I got the knockout in the second I think getting hit was what sparked me to life.
Woolridge trains under coach Peter Hickenbottom and the close knit duo have been putting in the hours in the gym as well as taking some interesting sparring opportunities.
“Me and Pete are strong believers in not over sparring and when you do it you have to get the most out of those rounds. I’ve frequently been in with Marco Simmonds and they are always good spars and also Ryan Kelly who has a big fight of his own coming up. I feel mentally stronger than I have before.
“I’ll be boxing at middleweight now moving forward, I was always tall for super welterweight and a nutritionist has advised me that this is the best decision for my career. Now is about keeping the momentum going, I’m hoping to box an eight rounder so if tickets go well that’s the plan but whatever comes my way on the 15th I will be ready to go.”
Tickets for Second City Showdown are now available, priced at £40 standard and £80 VIP, from the boxers directly or by emailing info@bcb-promotions.com.
