Thai adventure has Ashley Pettigrew ready to return
Ashley Pettigrew (3-1) is determined to get his boxing career back on track when he returns to the ring a year on from his first defeat at the Bescot Stadium in Walsall on November 16 on BCB Promotions ‘Unleashed’.
The 26-year-old from Stafford had made light work of his first three opponents before a shock second-round stoppage loss against Nikola Stoyanov in Wolverhampton last September derailed the super welterweight's plans.
“I’m really looking forward to putting right the wrongs from that night," said Pettigrew. "It was an off-night for me; there are no excuses, and I have to look back at it as a blessing, as the things that have happened since have been positive."
After the loss, Pettigrew took time away to travel around Thailand with his girlfriend, and after a couple of months seeing the country, he took a job working at the Apollo Camp in the capital city of Phuket.
“I hadn’t planned to be away as long as I was, but it was an amazing experience working in the gym alongside fighters from all over the world," he said. "I got to see a different style of boxing - there were a lot of Russians there, as the gym is run by a Russian coach, and I picked up a lot from my time there."
After seven months of experiencing life in the far east, Pettigrew returned home to Staffordshire, where he now works as a carpet and floor fitter, switching from his previous trade as a carpenter.
There has been plenty of change in the last year, but he still calls Stafford Fight Factory home as well as being a regular face at BCB’s own gym in Wednesbury.
“My coaches have told me that I just need to get back to myself and start back on what we had planned before the defeat," he said. "This fight will be back at four rounds and then hopefully can get up to six and then a title fight soon.
"People coming out to support me can always expect fireworks, but this time they will see a new and improved version in the ring.”
Bloxwich's unbeaten Ryan Woolridge (10-0) headlines the show in his first eight-round contest with a stacked undercard featuring Wolverhampton heavyweight Sonny Clarke (2-0).
Exeter's Kristine Shergold (7-7) will make the journey up from the south west in her first fight since her points loss to world champion Rhiannon Dixon.
Jay Jay Tonks (1-0) boxes for the first time this year and amateur sensation Mia Holland from Wolverhampton will make her professional debut.
Tickets for ‘Unleashed’ are available now priced at £40 standard and £80 VIP from the boxers directly or by emailing info@bcb-promotions.com
