Gaffney boxer a knockout in debut
By JOE HUGHES II Ledger Sports Writer joe@gaffneyledger.com

Gaffney native John Bradbury made the most of his professional debut last Friday in the hills of West Virginia, stopping Ohio talent John Milan in the opening round of a light heavyweight bout.

While Bradbury was able to take his show on the road, his goal is to be able to show his stuff in front of the home crowd. He may soon get his chance.

Bradbury is currently working under Simons Promotions of Morgantown, W. Va., who has proposed hosting future bouts in Gaffney.

"The prospect of hosting an event in Gaffney is something we are definitely open to," Steve Simons of Simons Promotions said. "He is a good fighter and I enjoy working with him and those with him."

"(Bradbury) has been waiting for the opportunity to fight in his hometown and show everyone what he's got," Bradbury's manager Tuck Swanger said. "Lord willing, he will get that opportunity."

Simons was impressed with the fighter's debut in which Bradbury knocked his opponent to the canvas twice before a referee stepped in to stop the contest. Also working in the local's favor is that he performed so well on a card stacked with some of the promotion's other up and coming stars.

"I could not have asked for anything better," Bradbury said. "I could have knocked him down earlier but I wanted to show the crowd some of what I have."

"We saw a lot in his debut that tell us he is going to be a good boxer," Simons said. "But there still is a lot of work to do."

Coming up for the local talent are two more fights within the next eight weeks in Charleston and Morgantown, W. Va.

During this time, Simons said he is trying to find a good time to come to Cherokee County and survey possible opportunities to host an event.

"At this time, things are practically booked up until June," Simons said. "But this is something we would like to do at some point... so we will see."