National amateur champion Giorgio Isaila kicks off paid career in style
22-year-old prospect Giorgio Isaila (1-0) defeated 140-fight veteran Jordan Grannum (9-126-5) in his pro boxing debut on Saturday, November 25 at the York Hall in Bethnal Green.
The likeable Romanian, from Leyton in London, won all four rounds against the seasoned journeyman at super-welterweight on the Goodwin Boxing show headlined by the Southern Area middleweight title fight which saw Bilal Fawaz claim the vacant belt with a 97-94 points win over between Gideon Onyenani.
The youngster looked comfortable and confident in his inauguration, using feints and dips to create openings, while working behind the jab and not becoming too greedy for success. The stylist also switched feet like Ricky Hatton to create different angles for his shots, much to the delight of the crowd watching on.
He reflected back on his pro bow in detail: "I’ve arrived at the venue very confident and relaxed. I’ve done the weight in at 153-pounds and Jordan at 160-pounds.
“I was fight number 5 out of 8. A lot of people came to see me, I believe was more than 100 people there from my side.
“In the changing room getting the handwraps on, stretching and warming up I was so confident and happy. Smiles all over the place, no space for nerves.
“I started the round in control, I set up the pace and worked behind the jab. At the end of the first round I’ve started to switch the angles a bit to display my skills.
“In the second round, I step up the game tiny bit. More punches more angles changes. I started to spin around Jordan and punch from different angles. Jordan started to throw some beautiful jabs and liver shots. He was trying to slow my work rate down with the body shots, but didn’t work.
“In the last rounds, I’ve focused on my jabs as all the rounds before, changing the angles and trying to look skilful. The fight was over and everyone was clapping. I’ve won 40-36.”
They say you only get one pro debut so enjoy and remember it, something the prospect has taken on board, “I really enjoyed every single minute from being in the changing rooms, walking to the ring and being in the ring,” he enthused.
“I felt so good with my crowd they welcome me in the ring and kept me in the ring with a good energy! Every single second in the ring was priceless. I can’t wait for the next one.”
Isaila aims to fight on the Goodwin Boxing show schedule for March 9, 2024.
Even though Giorgio Isaila only stepped into a boxing gym for the first time in January 2021, he raced to 17 wins from 20 amateur bouts, even winning a Senior ABA Championships.
Trained by Anton Pattenden and former British super-bantamweight champion Matt Marsh at the Honour & Glory Boxing Club in Eltham, the young prospect is a fan of Roberto Duran and Gervonta Davis, and described his boxing style simply as “Dangerous!”
Giorgio was heavily supported on the night, with well over 100 fans in attendance, even family and friends travelling from Romainia to support their compatriot.
His experienced opponent, known as ‘The Brown Eagle’, had fought at the York Hall 33 times already, but for youngster Isaila it was his first time appearing at the historic ‘Home of Boxing’, which has seen the likes of Carl Froch, David Haye and Johnny Tapia fight there.
Giorgio shared his immediate plans for the future, “I want to be as active as I can, but it’s the end of the year so not many more shows, but I’m looking to get back out in March on a Boxmania show.
“They’re good shows because there’s big fights, 50-50s, so I want to fight on there. Then, from March onwards, I just try to be as active as I can.”
He then laid out his long-term plans for his career, “First, I just want to build my record and just want to look good as a boxer, build up a name.
“But I’m hoping for the next couple of years to get a Southern Area title, then move on to English, then British, and doing it the domestic, traditional way.
“But I’m really hoping in two years to actually get the Southern Area [title].”
For tickets to his fight, please visit https://giorgioboxing.co.uk/
You can follow Giorgio on Instagram @giorgioboxing
Article sponsored by HÖRFA