Newcastle-born Neil ‘Willa the Gorilla’ Wilson has four professional wins and two titles — now he is taking on 21 fights in memory of his son Ellis and aiming to raise £200,000 for families living with child loss
A Newcastle-born dad who turned to boxing after losing his 21-year-old son is taking on 21 professional fights — one for every year of his son’s life.
Neil ‘Willa the Gorilla’ Wilson lost his beloved son, Ellis Jack Wilson, on 8 December 2021, aged just 21. After all hope felt lost, boxing gave Neil somewhere to put his grief.
What began as a personal outlet on the unlicensed boxing scene four years ago has become something neither Neil nor his family could have imagined.
At 48, Neil became a professional boxer and has now recorded four professional wins. His second professional fight ended with a second-round knockout to secure the WBF Eurasia heavyweight title.
Then, in only his fourth professional fight, Neil claimed the WBF International cruiserweight title with a stunning seven-second knockout — a victory he says is the fastest KO in a WBF title fight.
But for Neil, this has never really been about boxing. It’s about Ellis.
21 fights for 21 years. Neil has created 21 Rounds: A Father’s Journey, an ambitious 18-month challenge which will see him attempt 21 professional fights in memory of the 21 years he had with his son.
His story is also being filmed for a documentary of the same name.
Neil said: “After losing Ellis, all hope felt lost. Boxing gave me focus. It gave me strength and, at times, some peace.
“What started as somewhere to put my grief has become something I could never have imagined.
“But this isn’t about belts or records. I had 21 years with my beautiful son and I’m taking on 21 fights in his memory.
“Every time I step into that ring, I take Ellis with me.”
And Neil isn’t taking the easy route.
He fights on 26 September in the Czech Republic, before getting back into the ring just seven days later in Hamburg, where he will fight for the WBF Intercontinental title.
Both fights will be broadcast live on pay-per-view. Neil says victory in Hamburg would put him in position for a world-title opportunity in spring 2027. His ultimate ambition is to become the oldest professional world champion in boxing history and bring that world-title fight home to Newcastle.
£200,000 for families living with child loss
Neil now wants the attention generated by his boxing career to do something much bigger.
21 Rounds has a fundraising target of £200,000.
The campaign will raise awareness and funds for Angels United, the registered charity supporting families following the loss of a baby or child.
Neil plays for Angels United FC in Ellis’s memory. The organisation began in 2020 when 13 bereaved fathers came together through football, creating a place for dads who had experienced the death of a child to spend time with men who understood exactly why they were there.
Neil describes it as:
“The team no one wants to play for.”
He added: “Losing a child changes everything.
“There are fathers and families living with this every single day. If this mad boxing journey can raise money, get men talking and help another family feel less alone, then it has a purpose far beyond me.”
Neil isn’t asking everyone to make a huge donation.
His public appeal is much simpler. Give £1.
Or, if you can, give £21 — £1 for every year of Ellis’s life.
Neil said: “Please don’t think £1 isn’t enough. Imagine what happens if thousands of people give a pound.
“And if you can give £21, that’s £1 for every year we had Ellis.
“Every donation, every share and every person who tells somebody else about this keeps the story moving and keeps Ellis’s name alive.”
Donate £1 or £21: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/neil-wilson-864?utm_medium=CF&utm_source=CL.
Ellis’s legacy outside the ring
Neil has also established EJW Fight Camp, named after Ellis Jack Wilson, providing training facilities for professional boxers.
The gym is also being used to give young people access to sport.
Recently, EJW Fight Camp welcomed 10 young men from Social Inclusion Through Sport (SITS), run by Glasgow-born, Newcastle-based David McCormack.
For Neil, it is another way Ellis’s name can have an impact beyond the boxing ring. Neil said: “I want Ellis remembered and honoured as he deserves to be.
“If his name becomes associated with helping other people, supporting bereaved families and giving young people opportunities through sport, that means everything to me.”
Forever 21
Neil’s progress through the 21 fights will be documented in 21 Rounds: A Father’s Journey, following the training, travel, fights, setbacks and emotion behind one father’s extraordinary challenge.
Neil is also seeking sponsors to help meet the considerable costs involved in completing 21 professional fights across 18 months.But whatever happens inside the ring, the reason behind it won’t change.
21 years. 21 fights. £200,000 target.For Ellis. Forever 21.
