M.A. // FRONTING YOUR CITY: BRAD REA

Ahead of his fight with Lyndon Arthur on November 1st, we sat down with Manchester’s own Brad Rea — a lad who’s as City as they come.

From growing up a blue in Stretford (“character building,” as he calls it) to the Elano free kick that first gave him that wow feeling watching City, Brad talks football, clobber, and carving his own legacy. He shares memories of watching Ricky Hatton’s homecoming fight at the Etihad, a moment that now feels even more special following Ricky’s passing this month.

Outside the ring, Brad keeps it real — “just a local lad with my feet firmly on the ground no matter how far I go.” We chat about his love for terrace culture, his go-to Air Max 95s, and his Manchester-inspired fight-night kits that nod to The Hacienda and The Stone Roses.

As fight night at Co-op Live approaches, Brad’s motivation is simple: “I can’t lose to a red — I’d never hear the end of it.” Full interview below.

Q. How difficult was it growing up in Stretford and being a blue instead of a red?

A. It definitely wasn’t easy growing up in Stretford as a blue, especially with United winning absolutely everything at the time. I call it character building, I dealt with my fair share of stick which is why I never let them lot off easy now the tables have turned.

Q. Do you remember the exact moment you fell in love with Manchester City?

A. It’s tough to say as the early days were definitely a love/hate relationship. One memory that really sticks in my mind was the Elano free kick vs Newcastle. It was one of the first times I got that wow feeling watching city.

Q. Your first trip to the Etihad — who took you, and what sticks in your head from that day?

A. I actually don’t think my first memory of going to the Etihad is a football memory, but going to watch Ricky in his homecoming fight vs Juan Lazcano is a special memory.

Q. Every City fan has that one game etched in their memory — what’s yours, and why does it mean so much?

A. My best football memory on an away day is without a doubt us winning the FA Cup against United in 2023. When that Gundogan volley went in after a few seconds you just knew it was going to be a good day.

Q. If you had to pick one player that truly summed up being a City fan for you as a kid, who would it be and why?

A. Mario Balotelli always comes to mind. Absolutely mental, unpredictable yet brilliant.

Q. Outside the ring and gym kit, what’s your go-to look that makes you feel most yourself?

A. My go to look is definitely something dressed down, casual and comfortable. Most of the year you’ll probably find me in shorts and sliders no matter what the weather is like outside.

Q. Manchester has a massive terrace and music-led fashion culture — has that shaped your own style?

A. Yeah, 100%. I’m a proud Mancunian and definitely love that old school northern look. Me and my Dad have a running joke that any new piece I buy, he has already had it 30 years ago.

Q. When you look back at old fight-night outfits, is there one you think, “yeah, I nailed it” — or one you’d never wear again?

A. One of my favourite fight night kits was from was from my fight with Jez Smith. It was Manchester inspired and had everything from the yellow and black stripes for The Hacienda to paint splashes for The Stone Roses.

Q. Do you think what you wear outside the ring tells people as much about you as a person?

A. I think the way I dress outside the ring sums me up pretty well. Just a local lad with my feet firmly planted on the floor no matter how well I’m doing. I don’t think I’ll ever forget where I’ve come from no matter how far I go in the sport.

Q. If you could only wear one pair of trainers and one jacket for the rest of your life, what are you picking?

A: Trainers is easy, Air Max 95s. I would probably say my neon 95s but my dog decided to eat them a few months ago so they had to get binned. My favourite jacket is a bit more difficult. I’ve got a sky blue Stone Island cagoule that I love. It doesn’t come out very often because it’s abit bold for me but I get loads of comments on the odd occasion it does.

Q. Can you take us back to your early days — what first got you into boxing, and when did you realise you wanted to take it seriously?

A. I’ve boxed for as long as I can remember. My Mum and Dad run an amateur boxing club in Chorlton so I grew up in the gym. I had a go at a lot of sports like most kids, played abit of football but it was always boxing for me. When I turned 13/14 I decided to pack everything else in and just focus on the boxing. It was what I enjoyed the most and honestly the only thing I’ve ever really been good at.

Q. Ricky’s passing earlier this month was a monumental loss for the boxing community and for yourself, he was known for being a down-to-earth, honest fighter. What are some of the biggest lessons you took from him — in or out of the ring?

A. I could fill a few pages talking about Rick and the things I’ve learnt from him. He was always talking about how he was in the same position as us at the start of his career, and that he went on to accomplish everything he did and won all of those titles so why can’t we. It was nice to know he believed in me and thought I could go on to achieve things in the sport.

Q.You’ve had highs, setbacks, and comebacks — when you think of your journey so far, what’s been the toughest lesson learned?

A. My lowest point but also my biggest learning curve was definitely my first and only loss. It was tough to handle at the time but I look back now and I’m thankful for the lessons learnt and the path that fight put me on. I wouldn’t be in the position I am now without losing that fight so i’m grateful.

Q.This fight with Lyndon Arthur FEELS LIKE iTs about more than belts — what’s driving you the most when you picture walking into Co-op Live Arena on fight night?

A. My biggest motivation for this fight is propelling my career to the next level, and I know beating Lyndon can do that for me. He’s been at the top of the sport and that’s where I’m trying to go. Beating him gets me one step closer. Also I can’t lose to a red, I would honestly never hear the end of it.

Q.When people talk about Brad Rea the boxer five years from now, what do you want them to say?

A. I want to be remembered as an entertaining, fan friendly fighter who always put it on the line and was willing to fight anyone and everyone. I hope that outside the ring people know me as the same down to earth lad I am now. Just a normal kid that happens to be very very good at punching people in the face.