Safety first for Ryan Partridge at the Venue
It's safety first for Dudley's Ryan Partridge when he makes his professional debut with a hometown bout at the Venue on Friday night.
The 21-year-old makes his bow on his own turf, where he has previously boxed as an amateur for Priory Park Boxing Club,
The light middleweight from Wren's Nest was an unpaid regular, reaching a Clubs for Young People national semi-final in 2011 and amassing 21 victories from 31 bouts.
He also won a Uni Box belt with a victory over pro-turned back-amateur Nathan Decastro last year, making it a double success after a rematch two weeks later.
His measured style has produced results and, outside of the ring, he works as a safety steward at home games for Birmingham City Football Club.
His former mentor from his kickboxing days, former world champion Mick Wolohan, got him the job after training him for a black belt at the Black Country Martial Arts Club.
It's discipline he took into boxing after switching sports aged 13 and Partridge believes it will lead him to more success in the pro ranks.
He said: "I have never been one of those fighters who bounces around in the ring, I like to slow things down and pick my punches.
"I stopped kickboxing years ago but Mick has always been good to me, he will be there to cheer me on and will probably be sponsoring me soon.
"I think my style will be more suited to the pros, everyone is telling me my power has improved and my opponents will feel that.
"Hanging back and sitting down on my shots brings the strength through, along with natural maturity which is coming on all of the time.
"I have always been tough, I can brawl when I need to but I have plenty of skill, which I plan to show on the night.
"This has been a little while coming and even my trainer, Paul Gough, told me I had nothing left to learn from the amateurs. It's the right time."
Partridge will be pitted against Matthew Ashmole, a 34-year-old Welshman competing in his 21st professional fight, over four rounds.
For more information and tickets, call promoter Paul 'PJ' Rowson on 07976 283 157. The Venue can be contacted on 01384 459 800.
