“Showtime” Shea Willcox Dazzling in pro debut
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 15 Sep 2024
BRIDGEWATER, Mass. (September 14, 2024) – Everett (MA) junior welterweight “Showtime” Shea Willcox had a dazzling pro debut in last night’s “Fight Night at the Vets Club 2” card, presented by Granite Chin Promotions (GCP), at the Bridgewater Veterans Club in Bridgewater, Massachusetts.
Fighting in front of a packed venue, in which the large majority of attendees were there supporting him, the 22-year-old Willcox did not disappoint as he floored Travis Crain three times, the last leading referee Jack Morrell to wave off the fight at the 43-second mark of the opening round.
Willcox, who was this year’s New England Golden Gloves Champion, as well as the Most Outstanding Boxer of the championship final, displayed poise beyond his age would indicate, calming setting up his vaunted left hook. Willcox used his left hook for the first two knockdowns, a minute into the fight and again 30-seconds later, and he closed the show with a crisp right cross for the technical knockout.
“I had a lot of fans at the New England Golden Gloves, and they really turned out for my pro debut,” Shea said after the fight. They’re always there for me and I’m grateful for their support. I love it!
“We had a game plan, and I knew what to do. I figured that he’s a southpaw and he’d be right there for my left hook. We trained nine weeks for it. My left hook, whether to the head or body, is my best punch. I saw him back up when I hit him early and knew that I had him. I’ll go right back into the gym to work on being a little more relaxed and balanced.”
Friday the 13th certainly wasn’t unlucky for the popular Willcox.
“I knew Shea had a big fanbase, but WOW, what a turnout,” GCP promoter Chris Traietti commented. “It was a great night of local boxing. Shea certainly didn’t disappoint with an impressive first-round stoppage. He was poised and really handled the moment well. The supporting bouts were also incredible. We had two draws and a razor-thin opening bout that ended in a unanimous decision. Nobody left the Vets Club disappointed and that is always the goal, to give the fans their money’s worth. Thank you to everyone that came out, our sponsors, the Granite Chin Staff, and most importantly…the fighters for making this night our best show at the Vets Club to date!”
The other three bouts on the card were all action-packed, entertaining and competitive. Two ended in draws.
Rhode Island middleweight Alfred “Keenan” Raymond (2-10-3, 0 KOs) and Daniel “The Hudson Valley Kid” Sostre (13-26-2 (5 KOs) fought to an entertaining four-round draw that could have been fought in the proverbial phone booth. Keenan won all four rounds on one of the judges’ scorecards, while Sostre took two of three and one from one of the other judges, and 36-36 on the third for a draw. Sostre nearly snapped his 17-fight losing streak.
Lightweight Brandon Sandoval, fighting out of Salem (MA) by way of Mexico, was the aggressor from the opening bout of the evening’s first fight en route to a four-round win by unanimous decision.
A portion of the proceeds went to the Fire For Effect Foundation (www.ffefinc.org), which honors and empowers veterans, first responders and their families in the community.
“Fight Nights At The Vets Club 2” was taped live and will be posted this week on the Bridgewater (BTV) YouTube page.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Wardley vs Dubois: Heavyweight Tussle in Manchester
By Chris Carlson, Sat, 09 May 2026Fireworks Expected as Cebu's Arañas and Noynay Rumble for WBF Silver Belt
By Carlos Costa, Sat, 09 May 2026Keyshawn Davis: "Nahir Albright’s Going To Be the Fourth Guy I Stop in a Row!"
Sat, 09 May 2026Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaiman: Cinco De Mayo, A Historic Celebration Of Boxing
By Mauricio Sulaimán, Fri, 08 May 2026Abne, Zhu Make Weight for IBF Eliminator in Cebu; Winner Fights Taduran
By Carlos Costa, Fri, 08 May 2026IBA presents stacked fight card for May 21 event in Mexico City
Fri, 08 May 2026Laurente to promote amateur boxing
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 08 May 2026Heavyweight Gustavo Trujillo Has a New Date Returns May 30 at War Memorial Auditorium in Fort Lauderdale
Fri, 08 May 2026Toro Promotions & Whitfield Haydon Officially Announce ‘Sizzling Summer Boxing Series’
Fri, 08 May 2026Jean Henri Lhuillier Drives ASAPHIL’s Winning System Through Long-Term Vision and Coaching Continuity
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 08 May 2026Dy ready to face Malignaggi in BKB on May 16
By Lito delos Reyes, Thu, 07 May 2026‘A younger lion always comes for that old lions spot. Your time is up, GET OUT OF MY WAY! – Manny Ritti challenges former ONE FC World Champion Nobutsu Suzuki May 29 in Perth – Thunderdome 54
Thu, 07 May 2026Kenia Enriquez Signs Multi-Year Contract with Latin KO Promotions
Thu, 07 May 2026FM Habla, Madriaga win Armageddon for IIEE-PSME Quezon City in PCAP
By Marlon Bernardino, Thu, 07 May 2026Undefeated heavyweight prospect Pryce Taylor Graduates to 10-rounder this Saturday in Atlanta
Thu, 07 May 2026