Skys The Limit For Jerome

By Andrew Wake: All young fighters need to find a way to boost their image and career but Sheffield’s light-welterweight prospect Jerome Wilson gets an opportunity like no other this weekend when he appears on the undercard of the massive Haye-Harrison bill.

25-year-old Wilson, a leisure management graduate, has only engaged in three paid contests but he has impressed well enough for his manager and trainer Dave Coldwell to give him a chance under the bright lights of the MEN Arena.

When announced, the news managed to do to the Steel City puncher what his opponents have been unable to so far; knock him off his feet.

“I standing up when I was told about it and I was so taken back I had to sit down,” Wilson recalled. “I couldn’t believe it. I started shouting and I run downstairs to tell my girlfriend and she couldn’t believe it either.

“It’s only my fourth bout and I’m fighting in front of over 20,000 people and it could be televised on Sky. I feel privileged to be given the opportunity.

“It’s a massive chance for me to be seen on a bigger scale than I have before when I’ve been fighting on the Magna shows in Rotherham. I can’t wait to show people what I can do.”

A couple of months ago Wilson revealed that his biggest hero is not Muhammed Ali or Sugar Ray Leonard but his mother. So how did she take the news that her son would be appearing this weekend?

“She’d been watching all the hype between David Haye and Audley Harrison on television so when I told her I was going to be on the bill, she just couldn’t believe it,” Jerome said.

“She’s proud of me and I aim to continue making her proud by doing the best I can in my chosen career.”

Fighting at Britain’s largest indoor arena in front of a huge crowd would be a daunting prospect for many people. But not for Wilson, he’s sure that he’ll be in his element.

“I think I’ll thrive on the crowd and the big occasion,” he stated. “I perform better when there’s a bigger audience there and I don’t care who I have to fight. Whoever they put in front of me I’ll beat and I’ll look good doing it.”

And he isn’t concerned about the possibility that his fight could be screened by Sky Box Office in 3D either.

“That would be a sight for the viewers!” he laughed. “No, I’m not thinking about TV too much, it would be nice to be on there but I’m thinking about sticking to the game plan and making sure I win.”