Don't head to the bar or the toilet whenever Tyler Jolly steps into the ring. The rising prospect from the small town of Whithorn in Dumfries and Galloway is developing a reputation as something of a quick finisher in the early stages of his boxing career.
The 24 year-old claimed the record for the fastest knockout in Commonwealth Games history last year on his way to a bronze medal in Birmingham and then followed that up with a 22-second stoppage of Vojtech Majer on his professional debut in Dublin in April.
The welterweight is now preparing for his first Scottish professional outing on the undercard of the Ricky Burns vs Willie Limond tussle at Braehead Arena on September 1 as he looks to advance his career quickly after turning over. The Jason Quigley-managed fighter is not a man short in confidence as he sets his sights on reaching the very top.
“I’m committed full-time to boxing so it’s just about pushing on to try to get up the ladder,” says Jolly of his aspirations. “After Birmingham it felt like the right time to turn professional. They took away my weight class at the Olympics so there was no point in hanging around for something that might not happen.
“After the Commonwealth Games my name was on everyone’s lips so it was time to strike while the iron was hot. The pro debut couldn’t have gone much better. I got a bit excited and jumped right in and thankfully was able to stop him.
“This is something I’ve wanted since I was about 12 or 13 years old. I won Scottish, British and European medals around that age and thought, ‘this is for me’. Probably to my detriment I stopped trying as hard at school as I knew I was going to make it in boxing. So I owe it to myself now to keep pushing or I’m going to be a binman for the rest of my days!
“I worked as a concrete labourer for about four years up until the Commonwealth Games but now I’ve had a taste for it, it’s all about boxing for me now.”
Jolly is trained by Burns, someone who has been no stranger to success himself in the ring. The softly spoken, former three-weight world champion is a man who prefers to lead by actions rather than words but his charges can testify to Burns’ ferocious work ethic and determination to constantly drive improvements, both in himself and others.
“He’s a great trainer and pushes you as hard as you can imagine,” confirms Jolly. “I don’t think I’ve ever been in better shape than I was for my debut. He’s still quite quiet in training but he says the right things at the right times which is what counts. He’s not daft.
“He’s been around the game nearly longer than I’ve been around the planet! So he’s a clever guy who’s been there and done it all and I’m lucky to have him in my corner. He’s so humble too and that helps keep my feet on the ground too.
“The transition from the amateurs has gone well. The work ethic is the same but it’s more rounds and slightly slowing your feet down, knowing when to throw and when to wait. Amateur boxing is 100 mph as you’ve only got three rounds. It’s just about learning the tricks of the trade in the pro game now.”
Jolly lives in Kilmarnock these days with girlfriend Natalie but is still afforded the warmest of welcomes whenever he returns to Whithorn. With a population of just 750 or so, the 2017 Commonwealth Youth Games champion is determined to put the village on the map.
“The support I get from Whithorn and Dumfries and Galloway, in general, is crazy,” he adds. “There’s not much to have come out from Whithorn over the years but the people are so lovely and I can’t thank them enough. I remember when I won the youth Commonwealth Games there was a whole parade through the town and a big reception for me so it’s amazing the support I’ve had from a young age. Whenever I go back there I can’t take five steps without running into someone I know.”
Jolly’s other passion is football and he doesn’t hesitate when he reveals his other major boxing aspiration.
“It’s always been my dream to have a world title fight at Celtic Park and I won’t stop boxing until that happens,” he reveals. “I’ve got full belief in myself that I can do it. My whole family have always been Celtic fans so this was my dream from when I was a kid. And I can’t let wee Tyler down!”
