Goldsmith ‘fired-up’ for tough BBC battle

Bradley Goldsmith…this the contest that puts him back in the mix

HAT’S off to Bradley Goldsmith for plunging straight back in the deep end following his first loss.

The Coventry middle will face unbeaten Mauro Silva on Boxxer’s show at the Vaillant Live arena, Derby, on Saturday, October 25 – a bill screened on BBC2.

Portugal’s Silva is very much a live opponent, with an unblemished nine fight record. And the Manchester based boxer has a healthy dig, with four opponents despatched early.

For Goldsmith, it’s the first real test since being stopped in seven epic rounds by Troy Coleman for the Midlands title in April.

Trained by Dominic Ingle in Sheffield, the 27-year-old overwhelmed unbeaten Rogers Ssenyondo in a single round in Dubai three months ago. Ssenyondo was unbeaten in five – all wins coming in his native Uganda, but, astonishingly, none of those victims had a professional win between them.

That was a run-out, this is a fight.

Silva represents the first threat since likeable Bradley saw his own unbeaten run end in his 14th contest. This eight rounder is the one that puts him back on the map.

“I’m excited, it’s got me fired up again,” he told me. “I’m under no illusion - it’s not going to be an easy night, but I’m in a good spot and that’s dangerous for the other person.”

Poster for the eight-rounder with unbeaten Mauro Silva

I’ve been impressed by the way Goldsmith, who enjoys mass support, responded to the Coleman loss: no excuses, no blame game, no questioning his team. Just a steely determination to get back in the mix.

“I had people ask if Dominic is right for me,” he said. “I just look at them and say, would you have asked that question if I’d won?

“In all honesty, I’ve changed nothing apart from my mindset a little bit. I’m not a fool, if it was a case of not training correctly, I’d say so. It wasn’t – I class myself as a thorough professional.

“I know I’m a better fighter because of it. I didn’t doubt my ability, it was a case of misjudgement, lack of experience and also the toughness of Troy Coleman.

“I’ve accepted it for what it is. That night was not my night and I’ve put it in the past.”

In a thrilling encounter, Troy went for broke too early, Coleman courageously weathered the storm, then stopped the favourite.

“I’ve been in the gym ever since it happened,” Goldsmith said. “The way I put it is, I’ve just persevered – kept my head down, done what is required and it’s come to fruition. I’ve concentrated on developing as a person, as an adult, and a boxer.

This is reward, I think, for doing that.”

You can almost feel the tingle as Goldsmith talks about next weekend’s challenge. “I don’t know too much in-depth about him (Silva), apart from the couple of fights I’ve seen,” he said.

“I know this is the fight that will put me back on track. I’m not looking past next week, I just know my own ability and know I’m prepared.

“The notice hasn’t been the best – just over three weeks – and maybe they’re hoping I’m not ready. If they think that they are going to have a very rude awakening.”

Despite the fairly short notice, Goldsmith will be roared on by a Sky Blues army, with around 150 tickets already snapped up.

He added: “I can’t thank them enough for their loyalty and support. It’s late notice and an hour away from Coventry, yet they’ll still raise the roof.”