Birmingham’s unbeaten female fighter Tori Ellis Willetts lost her first professional title contest when she took on Tysie Gallagher for her Commonwealth title and the Vacant WBO International junior super bantamweight titles (27.9.24). The contest was being shown live on DAZN from the Park Community arena Sheffield on the undercard of the Thompson - Wilson Bent fight. Ellis Willetts (29) came into the contest unbeaten in five professional fights and with one stoppage on her pro record. Gallagher (26) who is also the British Super-bantamweight champion had been beaten twice in here ten-fight record but these defeats had came when going for the Commonwealth title and a WBO world title. Both fighters came in eight stone nine and a half with Mark Lyson reffing.
Scrappy start to the first round with both fighters flying in at each other, It was tough round to call, I had it even. The second was another scrappy event with Ellis getting some nice ones, twos off but there was lots of holding. When the round started to settle down Ellis came in with a one-two and was dropped by a cracking right hand, Ellis Willetts took an eight count and managed to see the round out. Ellis Willetts was looking to land the one two at the start of the third but it was still a bit scrappy, Gallagher landed some nice right hands just edging the round.
Ellis still looked game in this scrappy fourth round, Ellis was falling in with her shots and trying to rough Gallagher up. Gallagher got some good shots off to win the round. Another scrappy round with Ellis Willetts steaming in in the fifth with lots of holding from both fighters, Ellis just nicked the round with her work rate. Ellis Willetts was warned at the start of the sixth for using her head, this was a terrible round with lots of holding with not many clean shots, even round. Gallagher got her jab going in the seventh and landed some nice backhands, Ellis Willetts continued to press but there was no quality behind her attacks.
Ellis Willetts stepped off in the eighth and started to let her boxing do the talking, Ellis Willetts landed some nice shots but Gallagher nicked it with the cleaner shots. Gallagher took the center of the ring and controlled the ninth round with her jab, Ellis Willetts boxed well landing some good shots but Gallagher won the round. Scrappy final round with Ellis Willetts digging deep and having a right go but with lots of holding by both fighters, Ellis won the round.
Judge Michael Alexander scored it 96 to 93, Steve Gray had it 97 to 92 and Terry O’Connor scored it 97 to 92 all for Gallagher. I scored it 88 to 83 to Gallagher.
Dexter’s Thoughts
This fight was not for the purist as it was a scrappy affair with loads of holding with both fighters being guilty of it. I have seen all of Ellis Willetts fight and can say she is much better than this performance and I think the occasion got to her. Ellis Willetts had only had five pro fights and yes I know she fought for Team GB as an amateur but I will say that the pro game and amateur game are completely different. Fighting at a high level as an amateur may give you a helping hand when fighting at big events but when you hit the elite level in pro boxing the field changes.
I’m sure Ellis Willetts will learn from this experience and it will only help her when she contests for titles in the future. Ellis Willetts is without doubt a great boxer and whether it was the experience got to her or the game plan went wrong I have no doubt Ellis Willetts will be challenging for titles very soon.
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