Tommy Fletcher has been likened to Deontay Wilder but trainer claims he has more in-ring IQ than the American.
Tommy Fletcher has been hyped for having the same punch power to Deontay Wilder and insisted he can’t argue with that.
The teenage southpaw is now well known for his hard-hitting style ahead of his professional debut.
Fletcher’s trainer Mark Tibbs stated that the teenager has got the same punch power as Deontay Wilder but has more in-ring IQ than him.
“He’s got the power of Deontay Wilder, but he’s got the in-ring IQ that Wilder hasn’t got,” his trainer Mark Tibbs said.
Fletcher said: “I was knocking out grown men at 14 years old. They were 25-year-old heavyweights.”
Speaking with Sky Sports Fletcher said: “I can’t argue with it. That’s what people have been saying. The proof will be in the pudding.
“Look at my amateur record – the fights I’ve won and the people I’ve stopped – and that’s what you will see.
“The list goes on! But I don’t know if it would be well respected if I started dropping names!”
Fletcher’s power is already well known in amateur circles, he explained: “I went to the Junior European Championships in Russia and got the fastest stoppage.
“The guy was bugging me out on the scales at the weigh-in.
“In the first few seconds – high lead hand, double jab, backhand, boom!
“The ref immediately knew, he waved it off. Everyone went crazy!
“I reckon it was six or seven seconds.”
His knockout punch first became apparent as a novice, Fletcher said: “Back as a junior I was already strong, and I was knocking people out who were taller and bigger than me.
“My power is natural. You can’t teach power.
“When I was 14 I first knocked someone down. Then I sparred again, the same occurrence happened. As I stepped up, it kept happening so I knew that I was strong.”
Fletcher further stated that he is good in the ring but insist people wants to see knockout but keen on entertaining his audience.
“I am definitely strong but don’t count me out – I can box too,” he said.
“I can stand there and have a row, but I can also get behind my jab, bob about, and make my opponents look silly.
“Forget my backhand, I can jab and move too.
“But people want to see knockouts. I will be looking to entertain. Expect fireworks from me.”
His management SJAM said: “Tommy Fletcher is a tall, rangy southpaw who can really punch.
“To begin with he will be campaigning at light-heavyweight.
“He achieved a lot as an amateur as a two-time national champion and also being an international champion.”
His height means that Fletcher is already eyeing boxing’s biggest division: “I’m 19 now, imagine when I’m 25. Without a doubt I will be a heavyweight in a few years.”
