Gloucester coach Pitman ready to guide protégé Ennis-Brown to domestic glory
Jon Pitman and Akeem Ennis-Brown
AKEEM ENNIS-BROWN’S shot at the British and Commonwealth titles has been 10 years in the making for him and his long-term coach Jon Pitman.
The 24-year-old super-lightweight is set to face Phillip Bowes at York Hall next month, after their initial contest was postponed at the end of last year.
Ennis-Brown, who also goes by the name Riiddy trains out of Gloucester’s Fight Factory Gym and currently has a perfect record of 13 wins from 13 contests.
Pitman has coached Ennis-Brown since he was 14-years-old but believed the youngster’s talent was apparent as soon as he stepped foot in the gym.
Since that day, Pitman says their relationship has grown into to one that goes beyond the boxing ring, and explained he now views the Gloucester fighter as a member of his family.
“It’s crazy to have seen him turn into the man he is now, it’s been a rollercoaster,” he said.
“When Riiddy came to the gym, he was so different in the way that he moved, so I knew he had ability but there was a question mark over whether he’d have the discipline.
“Since joining he’s become part of my family and I really mean that. My wife has done his washing, his cooking and my son probably can’t remember a time where Riiddy wasn’t around.
“Together we have been through some massive ups and downs, not just in boxing but in our personal lives too.
“Riiddy has been there for me as much as I have been there for him, we have a close bond but at the same time he drives me insane.”
During their 10-year partnership Pitman has guided Ennis-Brown through the professional ranks and says his fighter often hasn’t received the plaudits and recognition despite collecting a solid resume during this 13-fight career.
“I feel like Riiddy doesn’t get the credit that he deserves sometimes, especially when you look at the risks he has taken in his career,” he added.
“A lot of boxing people don’t realise how intelligent he is, his ring IQ is unreal. He can read fighters, he can adapt in fights and he’s just a really sound kid.
“When he fought Freddie Kiwitt, Freddie had more knockouts on his record than Riddy had wins, so a lot of the time he hasn’t received the credit that he deserves, but this time he’s on a decent platform for the British title – it doesn’t get any better than that domestically.”
