Rutter pledge: I’m in boxing for long haul
Ethan Rutter…second pro bout this Saturday. Pic: Manjit Narotra/BCB
ETHAN Rutter isn't here to make up the numbers - he has his eyes set on achieving big things, writes PAUL WEBB.
and his second professional fight comes this Saturday night at the Eastside Rooms, Birmingham, on BCB Promotions’ “Winter Is Coming”.
The Birmingham 20-year-old made his pro debut in September with a comprehensive points win against veteran Stephen Jackson. It was an eye-catching start to life in the paid ranks after a stellar amateur run which saw him collect seven Midlands titles and make national semi-finals four times.
“I thought I boxed well," said Rutter. "It's very different from the amateurs. The tempo of the fight was new as it was more about trying to break him down, whereas the amateurs are more like a chess match.
“The style you are up against is very negative and it's on you to work out how to push the pace, and that's how I want to box. People told me not to look for the stoppage as these opponents don't get stopped, but I'll always look for it if it comes. I want to be an exciting fighter.”
Rutter fought the majority of his amateur bouts for Kingstanding’s Second City ABC before making the switch to Shiney Singh's Box Smart Elite in Walsall. The gym has an excellent roster of pros as well as the next crop of amateurs coming through.
Rutter said: “After the fight I had a week away for a family holiday and then I was straight back to the gym, so I've been working non-stop since October for this.
"I've been sparring with Jon Tom Varey and Troy Hayer and the amateurs at Box Smart Elite, then over at the BCB gym with Ryan Griffiths. I’ve done a lot of rounds with him ahead of his last fight and with his big one coming up in January. I'm always in the gym and wanting to train and push myself.”
When he isn't putting in the hard yards in the gym, Rutter works at a funeral directors, but his focus is always in the ring and he knows he is fortunate to have a job that allows him to train like a full-time pro.
“I'm lucky with the hours that I do, being able to finish in the afternoon so I can run in the morning and train after work. I take one fight at a time, but I promise I'm here to stay and I think I can go far. I'd love to win the British title, and if you do that, the world's your oyster. Look at what Conah Walker is doing now."
Rutter promised: "Saturday, people that come to see me will get more of the same - a high tempo and entertainment. I won't say too much, but I've got an interesting fight kit as well. I just want to please the fans and put on a show.”
*Remaining tickets are available now, priced at £45 for general admission and £85 for VIP, from the boxers directly or by emailing info@bcb-promotions.com.