As a five – time English National Titlists, two – time British Amateur Title Holder, quarterfinalists in the 2012 World Youth Championship and a top five light heavyweight amateur pugilist in the world, Steed “The Stallion” Woodall, will look to leave a similar impressive mark in the professional ranks as he did at the amateur level, and given his incredible work ethic, determination, impressive boxing skills and great amateur success, it`ll most likely happen.
“I accomplished almost everything I could`ve as an amateur and now it`s time for me to do the same as a pro,” said Woodall. “I`ll do whatever it takes to become a world champion and one of the best boxers in the sport.”
The highly decorated British amateur fighter (41-5, with all losses coming against some of the best boxers in the world) left his family, friends and the joys of growing up in Birmingham, England to move to Miami, Florida at the young age of 19 to train with Guy Laieta and manage by John Seip, who guided Peter “Kid Chocolate” Quillin to the World Boxing Organization`s Middleweight Title. There are not too many individuals who would go to a new country and leave everything behind at such a young age, yet Woodall did it in order to achieve his lifelong dream of becoming a world champion.
“I came to America because I believe my training and fighting here would give me more significant opportunities and a better chance to enhance my boxing skills as opposed to staying in England,” said Woodall.
After getting overlooked by Great Britain`s Amateur Coaches when they were selecting the National Team, even though he defeated the number two rank light heavyweight boxer in the world, Scotland’s Scott Forrest, Woodall decided to go professional.
“I went pro because there was nothing left for me to accomplish at the amateur level besides being on the national team,” said Woodall. “I also believe my fighting style is more suitable for the pros where I can showcase my aggression and power.”
Woodall`s a fan friendly boxer with an all-out aggressive and explosive fighting style that overwhelms his opponents with his power and speed, especially from his left hook and right uppercut, while his slick defense makes him difficult to hit cleanly. He has a tremendous work ethic where he`s always perfecting his skills in the gym as he constantly looks to become a better boxer. Woodall looked extremely good in sparring sessions with Cuban Light Heavyweight, Vilier Quinonez (7-0, 4KOs) who held a 275-28 amateur record and won a gold medal at the world junior championship.
He didn`t disappoint in his professional debut as he won a dominating four round unanimous decision over Daniel Rodriquez (2-11-1) on March 14th at the Kissimmee Civil Center in Kissimmee, Florida by three scorecards of 40-35 and recorded a second round knockdown.
“I was pleased with my performance,” said Woodall. “He`s a dirty fighter and I was rusty because it was my first bout in 15 months, so it was difficult to look as good as I wanted to and I didn`t obtain the knockout victory; however, I got the win.”
A month later, he was back in the ring on April 12th and recorded a second round technical knockout at 2:55 left in the round against Ramon Jimenez (2-24, 2KOs) at the Club Maquiteria in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. He`s 2-0, 1KO.
“I was back in the gym two days after my first bout and I put to use what we`ve been working on and it paid off with the knockout victory,” said Woodall. “I`m happy with the performance because I wasn`t expecting an easy bout because he`s an extremely durable and experienced opponent who has fought several good prospects, so it was good to obtain the win the way I did.”
Woodall would like to box another eight to ten times this year, as he moves up in the middleweight divisional rankings.
“My ambition is to become one of the best middleweights in the world,” said Woodall. “I don`t like to talk too much and it`s too early to discuss world titles, so I`ll let my fists do the talking in hopes of reaching that stage some day.”
To learn more about Woodall, follow his boxing career or to use him for sponsorships/endorsements, visit him at facebook.com/SteedWoodallprofesionalboxer and follow him at Twitter@steedwoodall.