Bethell’s backed by gold and black army

Brandon Bethell…king of the ticket-sellers. Picture: Manjit Narotra/BCB

I’VE witnessed Brandon Bethell spill blood in a boxing ring and been surprised it didn’t flow old gold and black.

When the super-feather fights, an army of banner-waving, chanting Wolves fans raise the roof. There are boxes with strong support, then there’s Bethell, undisputed king of the Black Country ticket-sellers. The 24-year-old packs out BCB Promotions shows and more than once I’ve left halls with ears ringing from the noise generated by his supporters.

He’s Wolverhampton through and through. The city had Goodyear, it had Chubb Locks, it had Slade. Now it has Bethell.

“Most fighters dream of fighting in Vegas or Saudi,” Bethell said. “I dream about fighting at the Molineux.”

With the following Bethell enjoys, that’s no pipedream.

“I did have big support in the amateurs, it’s much bigger now,” he said. “It does surprise me and sometimes I think it’s crazy, it blows my mind. It’s not just the amount of people, it’s the way they support me – the singing, the noise they make.

“I’m really appreciative, it’s where I come from. When one goes out, we all go out.”

To date, the old gold and black Barmy Army have had plenty to sing about. Bethell has lost only one of eight contest and, at a heaving Aldersley Leisure Village, outpointed Nico Ogbeide for the vacant Midlands title. It’s a belt he later relinquished.

“A lot went on behind the scenes,” he said of the decision. “I’d just fought, I was getting called out, it wasn’t the right time.

“I want to push for bigger things, I want to get on TV and fight for international titles, that’s my main aim.”

Bethell’s box office appeal makes his appearance on a major arena show sound business sense for big promoters. He’d fill an awful lot of seats. Make that aisles.

Under trainer Gavin Burrows, Brandon’s progressing at a faster rate than expected. With each contest, he’s gaining more of the guile needed to succeed at top level.

Last time out, Josh Morris went through his comprehensive list of tricks and taunts in an effort to ruffle the favourite’s feathers. Bethell ignored the antics and took a wide six round decision.

“He did everything to get inside my head,” Bethell laughed. “He came in wearing a Wolves shirt, he was jumping around, singing. It was good experience and Gavin said, ‘that’s another box ticked’. I was happy that I kept my composure.

“Gavin said we’d look at winning a Midlands title in my 10th fight, I did it in my seventh. I just want to keep working hard and concentrate on my next fight, then my next fight. My levels are building, I think I can go to the top in this sport.

“In the gym, you are always working on everything – attack, defence putting a plan together.”

2026 should bring bigger bouts, possibly in bigger venues and even bigger Wolves parties.

“I want to be out again as soon as possible,” Bethell added, “but it’s a new year and every boxer in the country wants a fight.”

Not many of them sell as many tickets as Bethell, however. That gives him a head start.