Tori-Ellis Willetts: “I believe I am more than capable of winning world titles.”

Tori-Ellis Willetts: “I believe I am more than capable of winning world titles.”

It was a fight taken at just nine days’ notice. A fight where eight different possible opponents made their excuses and walked away. Eventually, Kerry Orton was the only fighter who said yes, and Tori-Ellis Willetts finally found her latest opponent.

The unbeaten super-bantamweight blue-chip prospect outpointed Orton over four rounds in Coventry at the end of last month to improve her unblemished resume to 5-0 and now moves on to the biggest fight of her career.

“I couldn’t really turn down the opportunity when they were saying they would offer me an opportunity to fight for the British title down the line,” Willetts told me over Zoom. “I took the opportunity even though I had only been back from holiday for two weeks. I’d literally just boxed, and then I went away for two weeks. So I had hardly any sparring for it, so it was probably the most unprepared I had ever been for a fight. But even when I was in Mexico, I was going to the gym every single morning. So I wasn’t ‘fight fit’, but I was fit enough to do four rounds.”

Willetts, a super-bantamweight, had to fight Orton outside of her comfort zone.

“I had to move up two weights because nobody would take the fight. So even though she had no wins on her record, I was still worrying if I was going to be all right in there.”

Willetts is a fighter in a hurry. She has previously told FightPost that she wanted to be fast-tracked in the professional ranks. A decorated amateur who graced the GB Boxing set-up in Sheffield wanted titles right from the moment she turned professional in 2023. There were wins over the likes of Chloe Watson and Nicola Hopewell in the unpaid ranks. Tori-Ellis Willetts came to the professional game with genuine potential.

But with the greatest of respect to Orton and all her previous professional opponents, you could excuse Willetts if she found those fights hard to get up for. But she sees them as just taking her closer to what she craves.

“I just see those types of fights as another fight closer to what I want to achieve,” Willetts says. “The belts that I want to win, like the British, Commonwealth, and world titles. I see them as being another step closer to fighting at the kind of level.”

Willetts turned professional last year, and she found activity with three fights in rapid succession before a period of inactivity followed.

“I was with Fightzone, and I had been quite active with those three fights. But towards the end of last year, they wanted me to extend my contract and I didn’t want to. They offered me a title fight, but I had to sign on for another two years, but I wanted to push on and sign with a bigger promoter. So I didn’t get any more fights until my contract had ended.”

The win over Orton was on a GBM Sports show. A fast-rising new promotional outfit headed by Izzy Assif that is making waves in the sport incredibly quickly. With a multi-fight deal with DAZN already secured, they are most certainly heading in the right direction.

With the help of GBM Sports, Willetts is hoping her next fight will be against Tysie Gallagher, a former world title challenger and the current British and Commonwealth super-bantamweight champion.

“They are working on making that fight,” Willetts told FightPost. “If Tysie doesn’t accept the fight, we will then work on making me mandatory for the British and Commonwealth titles. It is a fight that will change my career because I will then chase even bigger titles, and people will start taking notice of me, and I will show what I am capable of. I believe I am more than capable of winning world titles. I was sparring with Nina Hughes before her last world title fight, and I have been with other girls who have achieved what I want to achieve.”     

Tori-Ellis Willetts has always had a touch of star potential. Her own ambitions have always been high. A fight between Gallagher and Willetts ticks many boxes. A big domestic fight with two titles on the line can only elevate their side of the sport. But it will also enhance both fighters’ careers. The winner moves on to bigger things, and the loser will be able to come again. It makes sense for all parties.

Willetts has craved a big fight since she turned professional last year. It could now be within touching distance. A fight with Tysie Gallagher will tell us just exactly how good she is. Hopefully, it will arrive before the year ends.

Photo Credit: BCB Promotions