Opportunity knocks for Wilton
21 April 2009 – By Cormac Campbell
Opportunity knocks not once but twice this spring for east Belfast bantamweight Luke Wilton who gets the opportunity to impress two of the biggest promotional names in boxing in the space of three weeks.
Such fortune is at the opposite end of the spectrum to that endured by Wilton last December, when sporting a fledgling ledger of 3-0, he was cruelly stripped of his unbeaten record following a contensious four round points defeat to Usman Ahmed in Dublin. Aged just 20 years, he returns to action on April 25 on the undercard of Martin Lindsay and Paul Applebys mouthwatering British featherweight title at the Ulster Hall. All being well, Winky returns to action just three weeks later, on May 15, with a slot on the undercard of Martin Rogans Commonwealth heavyweight title defence against Sam Sexton at the Odyssey Arena.
That the Ulster Hall bill is promoted by David Haye for Setanta Sports and the Odyssey event promoted by Frank Warren for Sky Sports is an added bonus for Wilton, who is trained at Eastside Boxing Club by his father Alan.
Itll be the first time Ive boxed at the Ulster Hall, Wilton told
irish-boxing.com
over the telephone.
Its one of the best places to box and Im looking forward to it as there is a lot of history behind it.
At the Bedford St venue, Wilton will face a familiar foe in Delroy Spencer, who, little over a year ago Wilton outpointed at the National Stadium in Dublin. Older and wiser, he is hopeful of going one better.
Ive fought Delroy before. I just boxed him. I didnt try for a stoppage, but this time Ill go for it.
Charged with developing Lukes skills is father and trainer Alan.
Hes very strict when it comes to boxing. If you are doing something wrong you will soon get a slap in the face.
What Wilton has in abundance is time. As such he refuses to talk of titles or fights with the bigger names on the domestic scene.
Ill take things slowly. I wouldnt like to rush. Im only 20. I have alot of time on my hands whereas the likes of Booth and Napa are in their 30s. My time will come.
What Wilton does want in the near future is a rematch with Ahmed, a man most ringside observors believed he defeated at DCU on the night of Darren Sutherlands debut.
Id very much like to avenge that result. I tried to get that fight for the Odyssey card so well see what comes of it.
Should the fight come off for the Odyssey, Wilton will have a small army of supporters in his corner hoping to cheer him to victory.
There will be a couple of hundred people at the Odyssey to support me Im sure. I had an allocation of 100 tickets and Ive already done 50 or 60 of them already and Ive only had them four or five days.
