“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:
PHOTOS: Charly Suarez Ready to Face Emanuel Navarrete; Fight Analysis
By Dong Secuya, Sun, 11 May 2025Sampson Boxing returns to Panama with a mega world boxing night
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Sun, 11 May 2025SarBay Fest 2025 kicks off May 23
By Lito delos Reyes, Sun, 11 May 2025Suarez vows all-out war
By Joaquin Henson, Sun, 11 May 2025Suarez Looks to Exploit Navarrete's Weight Problem
By Ed de la Vega, DDS, Sat, 10 May 2025Weekend Preview & Picks for ESPN, DAZN, & ProBox Bouts
By Chris Carlson, Sat, 10 May 2025Weights from Fort Washington, MD
Sat, 10 May 2025Navarrete, Suarez Make Weight for WBO Title Clash; Muratalla and Abdullaev Ready for Interim IBF Battle
Sat, 10 May 2025HIGHLY-TOUTED BANTAMWEIGHT ADAM MACA SIGNS PROMOTIONAL DEAL WITH MATCHROOM BOXING
Sat, 10 May 2025CAPITO CRASHES OUT IN TITLE DEFENCE AS YAPP ENDS UK OPEN REIGN | 2025 UK OPEN POOL CHAMPIONSHIP
Sat, 10 May 2025A TRIO OF MATCHUPS ADDED TO "CHAMPIONING MENTAL HEALTH: A NIGHT OF BOXING" PRESENTED BY 555 MEDIA AND BASH BOXING
Fri, 09 May 2025SHAW SURGES AS CAPITO STUMBLES IN TITLE DEFENCE | 2025 UK OPEN POOL CHAMPIONSHIP
Fri, 09 May 20252025 USA Boxing Youth Men’s and Women’s High Performance Teams announced
Fri, 09 May 2025Jessie Villasin chess tournament on Sunday
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 09 May 2025Press Conference Notes: San Diego Favorite Emanuel Navarrete Set to Reignite Mexico-Philippines Rivalry against Charly Suarez
Fri, 09 May 2025