User:RichardWillows

Boxing

 * 🇰🇿 Firuza Sharipova
 * Dennis Hogan
 * 🇬🇧 Campbell Hatton

Early career
On 10 November 2021, I booked a boxing match thinking it would be hilarious with no boxing experience where a week later managed to defeat Sebastian Holtz (2–0 in his local career) by corner retirement (RTD), after delivering a liver punch late into round 2, inside a local bar in Northumberland on 17 November 2021.

After considering taking amateur boxing as a sport in the future because of thinking it seems like a great sport and after my victory, I booked another show in the same venue a month later allowing enough time for actual training. On 12 December 2021, I defeated Juaníto Lopez (6–0) by points decision (PTS).

After my victory against Callum Williams (33–11–1) on 26 February 2022 by points decision. I decided to request to participate for my first ever tournament, out of 192 respectable fighters, thinking my experience is getting better and that I was ready. I sent my application, had the correct qualifications, to participate and was added into the draw which was done on 28 February 2022. Each sector contained 24 fighters, where I drew into sector A, and the fights began on 1 March 2022 with all different sectors being located in different countries and counties.

In my first match of the tournament, it started like a normal amateur bout before a controversial moment happened which nearly caused the fight to end. As someone in the crowd threw a fake towel into the ring in which the referee spotted thinking that my corner had thrown in the towel. After speaking to the referee with my team and getting the footage reviewed with the fan being ejected for obstructing sport. The fight continued with me picking up the victory with a points decision against Bryce Robertson.

As the tournament continued, I defeated Spyridon Meek and László Kovács by points decision. After finding out my last 16 opponent, Elijah Blackburn, it was confirmed he did not like me after eliminating his best friend from the tournament in the last 96 stages. On the 14 March 2022, I defeated Elijah Blackburn by disqualification after 1:54 into the final round he landed two purposeful low blows. After the fight a doctor confirmed that I was not able to compete and had to withdraw from the tournament causing an abrupt and sad ending to my first ever tournament.

On the 22 March 2022, I signed a contract with the welterweight champion, Iestyn Hall, for a title match at Mint Lounge Nightclub in Manchester after what had happened during the tournament. During my first match in the tournament the person ejected was in fact the champion trying to get his friend to win his first boxing trophy. Further into the tournament when I won by disqualification where the individual who was most to blame was Hall for informing Blackburn to injury me due to the fact he could not win anymore after being knocked down twice in the previous two rounds. After being told to withdraw by doctor orders, I decided to contact the boxing commission, they explained everything and saying that the champions actions were intolerable and unacceptable and decided to allow me to become next in line challenger for the title. I accepted that challenge in a boxing match without head guards on 6 April 2022 to settle this rivalry. I won my first amateur boxing championship after knocking out Hall within 1:02 into the first round.

WBL welterweight champion
During my time as champion, I have been scouting potential opponents for my title with the commission. I had a warm up title match against undefeated fighter, Benton Lowell, on 28 April 2022 who I defeated by technical knockout during the final round.

On 9 May 2022, I defeated an Olympic athlete, Aliaksandr Radzionau by split decision (29–28 Willows, 29–28 Radzuionau, and 29–28 Willows) defending my title for the second time. After the fight and a post-fight interview, I stated that every nine days is a potential defence for my championship to keep up with the challenge and continuously facing better opposition.

Willows vs. Prescott
Two days later, after the victory over Aliaksandr Radzionau. The contract was signed for the next fight on 18 May 2022 at Title Boxing Gym, Lincoln Park in Chicago against former professional boxer, Breidis Prescott, who was most famously known for his knockout victory over Amir Khan, and currently has lost 15 of his last 20 professional bouts where Prescott aims for redemption in the amateur ranks. Prescott received another loss in his career by taking a loss by unanimous decision.

Willows vs. Clair
On the night of the fight against Breidis Prescott. The next contract offered was to fight for the vacant WBL Commonwealth super welterweight title against Olympic boxer, Merven Clair. After three rounds it went to the scorecards (30–27 Willows, 30–27 Willows, and 29–28 Willows) where by unanimous decision, I became new WBL Commonwealth super welterweight champion.

Farewell Retirement
After the fight with Clair, I announced that I will be taking three final fights in Las Vegas, defending my championship before retiring. The first fight was 3 June 2022 against Olympic boxer, Baatarsükhiin Chinzorig where I won by technical knockout. The second fight was the following day on 4 June 2022 against amateur boxer, Lasha Guruli, where I won by technical knockout. To end my road as an amateur, on 5 June 2022, I fought against professional boxer, Delante Johnson (4–0), where I won by unanimous decision. After successfully defending the championship, I relinquished them to follow my retirement path. I may return to boxing when I am older but we will see when the time comes. If anyone does keep an eye on my progress; thank you for sticking by me and the constant support.

WBL Winter Boxing League

 * 🇬🇧 Bryce Robertson: Won by PTS (Last 96)
 * 🇬🇧 Spyridon Meek: Won by PTS (Last 64)
 * 🇭🇺 László Kovács: Won by PTS (Last 32)
 * 🇬🇧 Elijah Blackburn: Won by DQ (Last 16)
 * 🇬🇧 Pat McCormack: Cancelled due Willows medical issues (Last 8)