Herne Bay’s Fred Ketteringham, of Warren Boxing Management, enjoys winning professional debut against Dale Arrowsmith at York Hall in London
A Herne Bay fighter enjoyed a winning professional boxing debut - but his trainer thinks it was more than just a victory in the ring.
Warren Boxing Management’s Fred Ketteringham beat the vastly-experienced Dale Arrowsmith by a points decision on a show that was shown live on BoxNation last month.
It came after Ketteringham, also known as Freddy Ton, had been spared jail following his part in a brawl in Herne Bay in 2022.
But Danny Fitzgerald is confident a brighter future lies ahead for him.
Fitzgerald said: “Fred is not just starting a professional boxing career, he has been rebuilding himself over the last 14 months.
“He has, obviously, had a few ups and downs. He really wants to show positive transitional progress.
“I was very hesitant with Fred when he first came to us but he has taken responsibility for his actions.
“I’m used to training really high-level pros and Fred is a phenomenal prospect. I felt he won more than the fight, he won back a little bit of self-confidence every person needs.
“He had more than 100 people come and support him. I’m a very firm believer that everyone deserves the chance to change.
“To mentally prepare to box at York Hall - there’s a lot of pressure and everyone came up to back him - it was encouraging to see how he handled it. It’s a pleasure to train Fred because he wants it so much.
"I’m over the moon for him.”
Ketteringham brilliantly handled the pressure of fighting at such an iconic venue.
“Especially when you have got a good crowd, at the York Hall with their seats, they’re near the ring,” said Fitzgerald. “It’s a fortress.
“To keep calm like he did says a lot about him.
“It was a really positive debut, which was great. He’s really mindful of his past but, also, really positive about his future.
“I’m pleased for him.”
A healthy contingent of supporters headed to the capital to get behind Ketteringham, who is an avid Herne Bay FC fan.
He’s sponsored by the Winch’s Field club.
Fitzgerald said: “The York Hall was erupting with his support.
“He had people from Herne Bay, people from London, and people from all over Kent backing him. We’re very grateful to have fans like that.
“I think Fred did a fantastic job of proving people want to get behind him for positive reasons.”
Fitzgerald and Ketteringham have wasted little time in getting the wheels in motion for his second pro contest.
“His next fight will be in March at the Electric Ballroom in Camden,” Fitzgerald said.
“He had just Sunday and Monday off after the fight. His next fight will be on March 17.
“We will take it step by step. He hasn’t got time to stop and think before his next fight will be on him.
“But that’s what he wants to do.”