Norfolk cruiserweight Tommy Fletcher has said it would be a “dream” to fight for a world title at Carrow Road, home of his local football club, Norwich City.
The 20-year-old took his professional record to three out of three wins with a brutal first-round knockout of Jiri Krejci at the O2 Arena on Saturday.
“It was an uppercut on the button – straight to his jaw,” he told BBC Radio Norfolk.
“He didn’t come to lose – he had never been stopped before.”
Fighting on the undercard of the John Ryder-Zach Parker interim WBO super middleweight title showdown, Fletcher wasted no time in making a statement.
Known as ‘Norfolk Nightmare’, Fletcher proved that for Krejci, hitting the Czech with a left uppercut 45 seconds from the end of the first round.
“I’ve knocked out loads of people in fights so I expected nothing less,” Fletcher said.
“I threw a few punches at him in the first round and thought ‘he’s tough’ so I didn’t expect him to go through so easily. I have devastating power.
“I spoke to him afterwards and I’m glad he’s still intact and healthy.
“The brutality of boxing is that it’s a business and as tough as it sounds, people want to see knockouts and blood and people getting hurt – and I think I delivered.”
“I can be a star in this sport”
Having previously fought at Wembley Arena and Manchester Arena, Fletcher said he was ‘blessed’ to be able to fight on another big stage in front of TV cameras, describing the experience of being at the O2 Arena as “unreal”.
“I’m 20 and I fight in these big arenas on TV – not many people can say they do that at my age.
“A lot of boxers, when they first turn pro, have to fight in small venues with few broadcasters or promotions.
“I just have to take it with both hands and keep pushing. I believe I can be a star in this sport.”
Fletcher says he is already looking at dates for his next fight early next year and is aiming for a six-round fight, with an increase to eight by the end of 2023.
“In those six and eight rounds you really strengthen the opposition and when two big names come up against each other, that’s when you get the real fights – real tasty contests,” he said.
The Call of Carrow Road
Fletcher, from Hockwold cum Wilton, switched as an amateur to Attleborough Boxing Club and is following in the footsteps of former Norfolk stars – former British heavyweight champion Sam Sexton and former WBO heavyweight champion Herbie Hide .
“I want to be the face of Norfolk and do it like nobody else,” Fletcher said.
“I want to put Norfolk on the map and hopefully I can bring the people of Norfolk behind me.”
Fletcher knows there is still a long way to go in his budding career, but is already eyeing the possibility of bringing big boxing nights home, with a sold-out crowd in Carrow Road a tantalizing prospect.
“It would be a dream. Imagine that – a fight for a world title or even a British title on the Norwich football ground.
“That would be great. I think I have a good fan base – imagine me selling that.
“These are all stepping stones, but I’m sure I’ll get there.”
