Frank and Honest – It’s Now or Never claims Luke Wilton

It’s now or never claims Luke Wilton [20(7)-5(1)-1].

After 11 years as a pro, for which he has spent far longer inactive than he would have liked, the Belfast man has secured just his second and, if he doesn’t win, most likely his last, shot at domestic honours.

The 30-year-old steps in to replace Ross Murray and will fight Sheffield’s Tommy Frank [9(1)-0] for the Commonwealth super flyweight title on Friday March 15th on the ‘Little Big Man’ card set for Sheffield’s Ponds Forge Arena.

The fight, which will be shown live on Freesports, is the kind of opportunity ‘Winky’ returned to the game for and one he is determined not to let pass him by.

“I’m going all out for the win,” Wilton told Irish-Boxing.com.

“It has to be now or never for me, I ain’t getting any younger!”

“The win would mean so much and would give me a great platform to build of, but I’m fully focused on getting my hands on that belt whatever way I can on 15th March.”

The former British and Commonwealth title challenger – who lost out to Kevin Satchell for the belts in 2013 – was offered the fight at just under three weeks notice early last month, but knocked it back as he felt he needed a longer lead into such a crucial fight.

Ross Murray then got the call and the fight was pushed back to mid March and a date that would have suited the Belfast super fly.

Now, in what looks like the perfect chain of events, Murray has withdrawn, Wilton has got another ring rust-freeing six rounds under his belt, and has been offered the fight which he has duly accepted.

“I had a couple of days of after the [A Night to Remember] fight, but I have been back in training from last Wednesday. It couldn’t have  worked out better or come at a better time.”

“It’s perfect timing with me boxing 10 rounds in the last couple of weeks,” added Wilton who also scored a four-round win in Scotland a fortnight before his Ulster Hall outing.

With just nine fights to his name compared to Wilton’s 26, home fighter Frank looks lacking in experience.

It would appear an area a fighting who has been a pro since 2008 and has shared the ring with Charlie Edwards and Kevin Satchell could exploit, but Wilton doesn’t think that is where the fight will be won and lost.

The Eastside favourite notes that his opponent has twice been the 10 round distance so must know his way around the ring.

“I haven’t watched much of him to be honest. I don’t know an awful lot but I’m sure Benny [Checa, coach] and my dad will watch him and come up with a game plan that suits.

“Experience could play a role but he has had a couple of 10 rounders and went the distance so he has experience of doing the rounds himself.”