Jay: ‘Something big is going to happen’

Jay Van-Gelder…all smiles in the dressing room before win

JAY Van-Gelder, a boxer blessed with matinee idol looks and a mighty punch, is a young man who believes in himself.

“I think I’m going to deliver something special,” the 21-year-old told me after Saturday’s whitewash win over gangling Scot Dylan Nixon.

In truth, after just two fights, it’s too early to know the truth – and nothing but the truth – about the featherweight who has dubbed himself “The Truth”.

He’ll have to pass much sterner tests than those presented by 6ft 3ins tall Nixon, who has now lost all four professional outings – two inside distance, before an assessment of his championship credentials can be made.

But manager Anthony Manning, who staged Saturday’s show at the Eastside Rooms, Birmingham, may have discovered a gold nugget. Van-Gelder has an exciting, flashing style and sells tickets.

He’s also media savvy, a very smooth operator under interview. Van-Gelder seems to have learned early that boxers have to be salesmen and his sales pitch is near perfect.

He, heavyweight Simon Ibekwe and welterweight Leo Fanthome are at the forefront of a pro boxing revival in Redditch.

Jay is blessed with a noisy fan base who, having talked to some of them at the venue, are certain big things beckon. There’s no such thing as a certainty in boxing – having written about the sport for 50 years, I know that. Manning knows that. Skill is not enough – you have to be in the right place at the right time.

It’s a big ask for a boxer serving his apprenticeship, but Jay insisted: “There is no pressure, I’m just so proud people are seeing the work I put in. I put in blood, sweat and tears in the gym and people are understanding that.”

Nixon, tall and slender at 9st 8lbs, was not going to rain on the Van-Gelder parade, though he performed with grit. The Scot – a late substitute - showed courage to rise from a left hook in the first and survive the four round distance, losing 40-35 on referee Chris Dean’s card.

After that initial long knockdown, Van-Gelder (9st 5lbs) appeared to take his foot off the pedal, try new things and bag rounds.

Van-Gelder and his team after the final bell. Picture: Gianni Bassi

“I was supposed to be fighting (Essex journeyman) Jack England,” Van-Gelder said. “He pulled out two days before, I was offered a 6ft 3ins opponent and said straight away I wanted to take it. He was just awkward and I have to give him credit because he was throwing them back.

“He’s fought some top lads and I was happy with the performance, I was doing my thing. I hurt him and when he got up at eight (in the first round), people were saying, ‘jump on him’. I thought, ‘what am I going to get out of stopping someone in one round?’ If I knock someone out, I want it to be clean.”

Jay admits the emotions were very different from those experienced in his debut. “I’m  only 21, still fresh, I felt the nerves (in my first fight) and didn’t know what to do with my nerves. This time I was calm and composed.”

Despite the self-belief and bravado, Van-Gelder is in no rush to make his mark. He’s looking for another four rounder in November and will move to six round class next year.

“I’m not a 30-year-old fighter,” he said. “It’s a marathon, I’m here for the long road.”

Jay Van-Gelder has the looks and the hooks. It needs a better fighter than Nixon to show he has a champion’s heart.

*Jay has asked to thank sponsors A&S financial brokers, gmammal, par4Golf and Athena.