Source: Aussiebox.com.au
"Cool" Willie Kickett (10-0) is a modest, unassuming, and quietly-spoken kid outside the ropes. Almost painfully shy. But the 21-year-old junior lightweight hotshot is set to make some serious noise inside the squared-circle next Tuesday when he battles former IBF 130lb world champion Gairy "Superman" St. Clair (40-6-2) in the chief support to Fenech-Nelson III.
"Regardless of the result, Willie is a winner for accepting a challenge like this," says Kickett's trainer/manager, Craig Christian. The Harry's Gym figurehead is correct in his assessment. In an era of sugar-coated records, Kickett's eagerness to readily challenge a man who boasts more career fights (48) than he does rounds (47), is a breathe of fresh air. In some circles possibly "career suicide", if one wasn't aware of how precocious a ring general the speedy boxer-puncher is. "I don’t see Willie as a 10-round fighter," Christian asserts. "He's developed incredibly in training alongside stablemates world champion Chris John, and Jackson Asiku, and by regularly sparring guys of that caliber, has rapidly lifted his level of competition.
"Indeed, since turning professional in March 2007 Kickett has captured the Australian 130lb title, handily defeated a former world title challenger, and been widely touted as the next superstar of Australian boxing.
Christian's confidence in his young charge is further exemplified when he offers his fight prediction. "Willie's speed and power will overcome St. Clair's experience edge," he claims. "There's no doubt in my mind. Willie's such a calm and in control character, and he always transplants that attitude to the ring. I'm expecting "Cool" Willie to freeze "Superman" before the night is over."
