Van-Gelder: I’ve got that X Factor power

Jay Van-Gelder…makes his debut in Birmingham on Saturday

JAY Van-Gelder is, in his own words, a fighter who possesses the elusive “X Factor”. He can bang with both hands.

“I have the power to switch someone’s lights off in seconds,” the Redditch featherweight explained.  His amateur CV proves that.

Hopefully, supporters at manager Anthony Manning’s Eastside Rooms, Birmingham, show on Saturday, will witness that explosion when Jay makes his long awaited debut. In the opposite corner will be Manchester’s Stephen Jackson, a journey who has learned all about survival during a 62 bout career.

He’ll need all those skills.

For 21-year-old Jay, a product of Redditch’s Studio amateur boxing club, it will be a night of mixed emotions.

“The last week has been quite hard,” he said. “My nan is 1-0 against cancer and I’ve been told she’s now looking to make it 2-0. I’m doing it for her.

“A lot of people have asked me why I became a fighter and I’ve never been able to answer them. This week, when nan told me it had returned, it clicked. It’s because she’s a fighter and she’ll go 2-0.”

The build-up to the fight has not been plain sailing.

“I’m super-confident, I feel this is the best camp although we’ve had issues around the last week, but we’ve worked around them,” Jay admitted.

“I was supposed to be matched with (Glasgow’s) Tony Morton. He pulled out with about a week to go so it’s been back and forward looking for a new opponent. We’ve finally got one – it just means losing a few kilos.”

Jay will be well supported on the night, with an estimated 140 fans snapping-up tickets.

“Having the power in my locker is nice to know,” Jay said, “but I’ll pick my shots, I want to enjoy my debut.

“I know one thing – if I land he is going to be on his back. I believe titles will come along, for sure, but it’s too early to shout about what I think I’ll achieve. My immediate goal is winning on Saturday, coming out of it fit and healthy, then fighting again in August.”

The public love a puncher. In Van-Gelder, the game may have gained a human wrecking ball.