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Big Talk from Little Luke Wilton ahead of last title chance


It all comes down to this Friday for Luke Wilton [20(7)-5(1)-1].

The Belfast fighter’s 11-year pro career will be defined by whether he wins or loses in Sheffield this weekend.

Not long after returning from relative retirement. ‘Winky’ has the chance to win a domestic title most would argue his service to the game and indeed talent deserve.

The 30-year-old fights Tommy Frank for the vacant super flyweight Commonwealth title and admits it’s his last chance to add a major title achievement to a storied CV.

“This is a big fight in my career. You can really say it is last chance saloon. I’m 31 in couple of months. I ain’t getting any younger,” the member of a family steeped in boxing told Irish-Boxing.com.

It might sound a bit soundbyte at first glance, but anyone that has followed the little man’s career will be aware he isn’t one for cheap talk.

In fact, as one of the quietest of boxing operators, Wilton doesn’t say much and in that regard such talk should be taken as a serious indication of how much the weekend means to the Eastside fighter.

Some may have mistaken his softly spoken approach for a lack of passion, but those who witnessed Wilton fighting tears after his points reverse to Charlie Edwards back in 2016 – a defeat that has aged well – will know just how much it matters to the Bernardo Checa-trained Ulsterman.

In fact, if he doesn’t win this weekend and, as he suggests, doesn’t get another major title shot, it would leave him with massive regret.

“I would be upset to not win one [a major title]. I have boxed for decent amount of titles and it hasn’t happened. So I have left no stone unturned for this opportunity,” he adds ahead of the Freesports-broadcast bill and the Ponds Forge Centre.

Team Frank have pointed out that Wilton is a big step up for a fighter with just nine fights and just one KO to his name.

However, they did add the ‘Winky’ has lost at the top end of the domestic game caveat, suggesting there man has the ability to emulate the likes of former European champion Kevin Satchell and current world champion Edwards in that regard.

Wilton argues not only is Frank not at either of the aforementioned’s level just yet, he also doesn’t bring the same kind of experience or CV to the Commonwealth interview as the two proven operators did when he fought them.

“I haven’t studied him too much. I left that to Benny and my Dad [Alio Wilton]. I’m focusing on being the best Luke Wilton I can be on fight night.”

“They have said things about my opponents, but he hasn’t fought anybody to the level that Satchell and Edwards did by the time I fought them.” he continues before predicting a win.

“We will see on Friday night! I predict a Luke Wilton win by any means necessary. I’ll be leaving it all in the ring on fight night.”

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Jonny Stapleton

Irish-boxing.com contributor for 15 years and editor for the past decade. Have been covering boxing for over 16 years and writing about sports for a living for over 20 years. Former Assistant Sports editor for the Gazette News Paper Group and former Tallaght Voice Sports Editor. Have had work published in publications around the world when working as a freelance journalist. Also co-founder of Junior Sports Media and Leinster Rugby PRO of the Year winner. email: editoririshboxing@gmail.com

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