Junior welterweight Shea Willcox is looking to be the next notable fighter from Everett, Massachusetts.
Willcox returns to action on Saturday against Aldimar Silva in Revere, Massachusetts.
Willcox, 3-0 (3 KOs), is excited as Revere borders Everett, signaling a homecoming for the up-and-coming boxer. Willcox remembers being in the gym and hearing about what former cruiserweight Richie Lamontagne – “The Mountain” – had accomplished, and also about the stages he fought on, the experiences he lived, because he is from the same place Lamontagne is from. Willcox hopes his career can carry on that tradition for the next generation of fighters.
“I would love to be someone that the younger kids in this area look up to,” Willcox said. “It is a working-class city. There is just a bridge that separates us and inner-city Boston.”
Willcox, 23, has yet to have a hometown fight in his young career. After Saturday, that box will be checked off. Silva, 22-28 (14 KOs), is a veteran tough guy entering on a 10-fight losing streak. He has lost to notables such as Ashton Sylve, Devin Cushing, Ofacio Falcon and Daniel Garcia during that stretch. Willcox is savoring the moment of fighting at home.
“It is like a homecoming,” Willcox said. “Because a lot of people can’t always travel to watch me fight. Now it is only 10 minutes from where I am.”
Willcox is trained by Joe Ricciardi and managed by his father, Dennis Willcox. Willcox had international amateur experience, having voyaged to Ireland to compete in the 2019 Celtic Box Cup in Dungarvan, Ireland. Willcox said his amateur grounding and work ethic will stand him in good stead.
“I work out two to three times a day, six times a week,” Willcox said. “I have always trained like that."