Billy Bird’s secret is out – he has a Southern Area title fight in the New Year.
The 24-year-old from Braintree took his record to 16 wins and one defeat when he came through a tough six-rounder against Ashley Bailey Dumetz in Norwich on Saturday, the 58:57 scoreline reflecting how close it was.
Bird’s camp had been ‘interrupted’ when he learned of his title shot and, as the man from Braintree acknowledged, the excitement may have just had a bearing on his performance.
“A few things probably didn’t go to plan which should have done, but I got the win, which is the main thing and now I will go on to bigger and better things,” he said.
“Take nothing away from my opponent, he came here for the win, he was there for the whole six rounds. I had to dig in deep and bite on the gumshield. There were a few little niggles but it is fine, we got the win.
“I felt comfortable - there weren’t any rounds there where I felt hurt - maybe I was a little bit shy on the fitness side of things.
“I was told halfway through camp of what was coming up and maybe it was the excitement of that – I can’t say I took my eye off the ball, but maybe I overlooked some things a little bit.
“But the win is the main thing and now we are ready to rock and roll – we will tick over for Christmas and then the real camp starts.”
The target date is March 3, most likely at Brentwood Leisure Centre, and the opponent is Southern Area super-welterweight champion Matt McCarthy.
Saturday’s fight night saw Clacton middleweight Joe Hurn return from a short break from the sport, but resume in pretty much the same style stopping Rochester’s Sonny Whiting in the fourth and final round. Hurn had been on top throughout, and Whiting legs buckled under a big right, before the referee stepped in moments later.
Colchester welterweight Alan Ratibb looked like he might do the same against Dylan Draper, but couldn’t quite finish the job, settling for a good 40:36 points victory.
The Parachute Regiment’s Connor Vian, beat Arvydas Trizno 40:37, his speed just too much for the Lithuanian.
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