Date of Birth: 16/2/98

From: Manchester Record: 19-1 (8 KOs)

Weight: Super Middleweight

Height:

Stance: Orthodox

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BRADLEY ‘STING’ REA is ready to get back on the title trail after moving base to Blackpool and teaming up with new trainer Andy Abrol.

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He had his first fight under Abrol in October 2023 at Liverpool’s Grand Central Hall, and impressed greatly, dropping Cologne-based Ukrainian Serhii Ksendzov three times and taking a wide 60-52 points win. In his only other fight of 2023, he impressed again knocking out usually tough Pole Adam Cieslak with a left to the body.

It was another pole-axing in Brad’s first fight of 2024 when Patryk Polasik was taken out in the opening round.

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Czech Ondrej Budera fared no better in Leeds in July 2024, being dropped twice and rescued after 135 seconds of the opening round.

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While waiting for a big fight he piled on a few pounds and tackled Cruiserweight Ryan Labourn in September 2024. Labourn was dropped twice in round two by body shots before his corner threw in the towel.

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The previous year didn’t end well when he was outpointed over ten rounds by Tyler Denny in an English Middleweight title challenge. Until that solitary setback, his form had been sensational and cemented his status as one of the Middleweight division’s top prospects.

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He was offered a short notice job on a Matchroom show in March 2021 against fellow unbeaten prospect Lee Cutler and snatched his chance in sensational style. Cutler was floored three times and blown away by a devastating display of power punching in the first round. It showed that Rea is for real and after witnessing the demolition, promoter Eddie Hearn tweeted: “Wow huge statement from @bradrea_ - this kid can fight!!!” The Matchroom chief offered Rea a promotional deal, but the boxer and his team signed with new kids on the block, Boxxer which meant exposure on the Sky platform. He marked his first fight for them in October 2021 with a fantastic points win in Newcastle over Jez Smith, a contest that is one of the best British eight rounders of the year.

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His first fight of 2022 was again in front of the masses watching on Sky Box Office when he faced unbeaten Chris McCarthy on the Amir Khan v Kell Brook undercard.

 

Rea returned to Newcastle in April for his second fight of 2022 and comfortably outpointed Lukas Ndafoluma over eight rounds.

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Manager Steve Wood insists that Bradley will reach British title level and go even further. He had been matched carefully until Cutler. Until then his best win was a first-round stoppage of tough Alistair Warren who couldn’t take razor-sharp body shots delivered from his fists.

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He turned professional at the age of 20 after 97 amateur fights for St John’s ABC which is run by his Father. He won multiple titles including an ABA Schoolboy Championship.