Rutter: 100 per cent I can win a British title

Ethan Rutter…second pro victory. Picture: Manjit Narotra/BCB Promotions

BRIGHT bantamweight newcomer Ethan Rutter – it’s way too early to use the description “prospect” - has already learned there’s a lot more rough and tumble to the pro game.

“The big difference is physicality,” the Birmingham 20-year-old told me. “These men are more physical, less tactical. It’s more of a fight than a chess match.”

On Saturday, at Birmingham’s Eastside Rooms, Rutter joined a long list of young hopefuls to be tested by journeyman Jake Pollard, now a veteran of 103 contests.

I have a lot of admiration for the Bradford 34-year-old who has only failed to hear the final bell on six occasions.

Pollard is one of the game’s great survivors. He knows what he’s been brought in to do: provide a ring lesson for young, hungry hopefuls without upsetting the applecart, without being stopped and, therefore, suspended.

And he again delivered against Rutter on BCB’s weekend bill, winning one of the four rounds before being outpointed 39-37.

Rutter, now 2-0, is lightning fast and accurate, but couldn’t put a lasting dent in Pollard. Not many can.

For the apprentice pro, men like Jake are very different from the opposition faced in the amateur ranks.

And Rutter was a mighty fine amateur. He had 45 fights, the vast majority for Kingstanding’s Second City ABC. His last three unpaid outings were out of Shiney Singh’s Box Smart Elite gym in Walsall. Dad Paul, who has worked with his son from the beginning, and Shiney are his pro trainers, BCB his promoters.

Ethan admitted preparation for Pollard had been beset with problems. “I wasn’t well, I didn’t want to pull out, I wanted to go out and put on a show,” he said. “I still thought I won all the rounds and set a high tempo.

“I’m pleased with the performance, but you’ll see the best of me in a 50-50 match-up. My two (professional) opponents have rarely been stopped. I hurt my first opponent (Stephen Jackson), his corner told me. I didn’t hurt this one, if I’m honest.”

Rutter looks a very solid addition to the pro ranks and is well supported: he flogged 70 tickets for this one, which are good number for a show so close to Christmas.

It’s too early to predict what he can achieve, however – and Ethan admits he’s still getting to grips with the new code.

He said: “I’m looking to have another couple of four rounders, then move to six. It’s about keeping on improving and learning, getting the experience. I believe I’m 100 per cent capable of winning a British title and when you win a British title you can fight anyone.

“I want to go down the traditional route. First an area title – I think that belt’s great, then the English…”

We’ll know a lot more about Rutter by the end of next year. By the end of next year, I expect him to still be unbeaten, a legitimate prospect and banging on the door for a Midlands title.