Brad Strand looks back on a very difficult yet successful year
Strand is grateful for the limited opportunities during such a disastrious year
Undefeated super-bantamweight Bradley Strand (4-0, 1KO) reflected on 2020 with a positive attitude and looked ahead to more of the same in 2021.
23-years-old from Liverpool, Strand was crowned ABA Elites champion in 2018 and made his professional debut shortly afterwards in March 2019.
Less than a year later, he caught the eye of Hall of Fame promoter, Frank Warren, and signed professional contracts with Queensberry Promotions in February 2020, just weeks before his third pro contest.
It was five months later in July that he made his debut TV appearance on BT Sport, with a shutout points win against experienced journeyman Brett Fidoe, moving up to 4-0.
He reflected back optimistically on the highly uncommon, onerous year, “I would like to have had a couple more fights, but considering what’s been going on, the year weren’t too bad for me – two fights, two wins and a professional contract with Frank Warren.”
Strand trains at the Everton Red Triangle gym in Liverpool with trainer Paul Stevenson. His teammates include Nick Ball and Andrew Cain, who also appeared on the BT Sport show in July, both winning their fights too.
Looking ahead to 2021, he said, “You can’t really make any plans at the moment, just stay ticking over and hope that something will come up. At the moment, it’s just wake up, go to the gym, go home again. We’re still training at Everton Red Triangle, but down to three days a week and runs in-between.
“Looking at the way the year is going, I’ll be happy with just another two fights again. I’d like to step up to six-rounders this year and get another couple of wins under my belt.”
Despite the unambitious plans, Strand is being realistic with these diminished goals for this year. In total, there’s seven pro boxers in his gym, all young prospects with excellent amateur pedigrees, and there’s also Olympian Peter McGrail training there too.
“The mood in the gym is always good,” he beamed. “We’re all upbeat and just get on with things. Paul is always very positive, he gives good advice, and wouldn’t let us get down about anything. We’re all healthy, so just got to keep going.”
Clearly grateful for what he’s got, Strand also empathises with others that haven’t had the same luck lately.
“I’d just say to anyone that we’re all in the same boat. I can’t say that it’s all going to blow over any time soon though. This lockdown feels different to others in the past. I can’t imagine what it’s like for people just stuck in the house with nothing to do.”
Meet the 35-0 group of unbeaten prospects from Everton Red Triangle Gym
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