By Tony Nobbs: On June 24’s Nelson – Fenech card WA whiz kid Cool Willie Kickett was stepping up in to the world class level when he faced former world champ Gairy St Clair. 21 year old Kickett, Perth born and bred, has been heavily touted by trainer Craig Christian – and many others – including Johnny Lewis, the man behind St Clair. In an interview this year, Johnny told The Fist that he sees Kicket as “the bright light” of Aussie boxing and has even made comparisons to the great Lionel Rose..
Christian knows St Clair, who was based at his Harry’s Gym facility a few years back.
For him, it is a calculated move, one that will show him exactly where his young charge is, with an impressive win getting him noticed on the world stage. At his best, Superman St Clair was smooth as silk. Those days a little behind him but he still has the ring savvy to trouble any up and comer’s. Shut out by Olympic silver medalist Amir Khan for the Commonwealth lightweight title in February he out pointed Jun Paderna in April. Kickettt stopped Paderna in a round last year – being the only man to halt the veteran ex PABA champ from The Philippines.
Kickett began boxing at eleven, fighting sporadically having thirty bouts as an amateur. Since going pro in March ’07, he’s been kept busy. He says Tommy Browne has been his toughest contest to date.
Going in against an opponent like St Clair who has been in with the very best, after only ten fights (and no long amateur career) is almost unheard off anywhere today but ever Cool Willie says simply “ It’s just another fight, I don’t really think about it. I just train hard and am preparing as I do for all my fights. I leave everything to Craig, he has a plan, if he thinks I’m ready that is good enough for me”.
You get the feeling that with all the hype around him, the likable Kickett’s feet will forever remain on the ground. He says he has many fighters he looks up to, but Muhummad Ali most. He hasn’t taken to Ali’s self promoting, rather he lets his fists to the talking.
Christian, who has shown a willingness to put his charges in tough match ups, is very confident of a Kickett victory, and more vocal, as he builds his rising star. “Willie has sparred Chris (John) and Jackson (Asiku) one hundred rounds for this fight. He is fit. I trained Gairy for three years, I know him. There is nothing Gairy can do to Willie. If I’m wrong, I don’t know my fighter. I think Willie can out class Gairy the same way as Amir Khan. With the same style. I am going for the late stoppage. Gairy hasn’t been stopped yet. If Willie can stop him that will really put him on the map”.
Whatever the outcome on June 24 we should hear a lot more about Cool Wilie Kickett.