Rutter to make paid bow at the Hangar

Ethan Rutter…bantam signed for BCB after a solid amateur career

ETHAN Rutter, by day a worker at an undertakers, is ready to let RIP in the pro ranks.

The Kingstanding, Birmingham, bantam has signed for BCB Promotions and makes his debut on their September 19 show at The Hangar, Wolverhampton. It’s a bill brim-full with new talent.

Ethan’s job at the funeral company is office bound, he stressed. “I answer the phone when someone has sadly passed away and arrange a visit by a director,” the 20-year-old said. “It’s 20 hours a week and works with my boxing.”

He turns professional with a solid 45 fight amateur CV, 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.

Ethan collected seven Midlands titles and reached four national semi-finals.

“I boxed a lot of the top kids,” he said, “beat some of them, lost to some of them.

Ethan with Midlands featherweight champ Ryan Griffiths

“I felt it was the right time to go pro. I had a few dodgy decisions and I know it’s a bit of a cliché, but I feel my style is more suited to the pros. I have a very good engine – I’ve been training since I was eight and feel the longer distances will suit me.”

Dad Paul, who has worked with his son from the beginning, and Shiney will train Ethan.

“The dream was always to turn professional, it’s always been to turn pro and win titles,” he said. “Everyone says they want to win world titles. My ambition is to win titles from area level upwards. The British title is something I have my sights on.”

The fighter is entering the new code with both feet firmly on the ground, however. He’s not making false promises about selling out the Hangar – “how many tickets I sell will be interesting to see, it’s my debut so I should do a good number.” He’s not proclaiming himself the next big thing.

He believes he has the tools to make an impression.

“I can do a bit of everything,” he said. “I can box on the back or front foot, I can box or have a tear-up. I have decent power, but my biggest asset is my feet, I have very quick feet.”

Those skills are benefitting from both the top class sparring at Shiney’s gym and the raft of talent on BCB’s books. When I spoke to Ethan, he’d completed six rounds with Midlands featherweight champ Ryan Griffiths.

The clock is now ticking towards the start of his journey.

“I suppose there has to be nerves,” he added, “but it’s more excitement – I’ve been waiting for this for a long time. It’s a good show with a lot of good lads on it.”