Returning Wilton admits he was close to retirement
Not every Belfast fighter was celebrating on a famous night for Irish boxing back in February.
While Carl Frampton was toasting becoming the island’s first ever unified World champ, Luke Wilton was hurting bad and most likely suffering the toughest post-fight few hours of his career.
‘Winky’ wasn’t physically hurt after his defeat to Charlie Edwards on the undercard of Frampton v Quigg, but was extremely upset after the defeat.
In the dressing room afterwards there were no physical scars of note, but the emotional ones were there for all to be seen.
So much so that when he said, while fighting back tears, that he felt it was time to hang up his gloves you were inclined to believe him.
However, the Manchester Arena and in a ring losing on points to Charlie Edwards won’t be the last time we see one of Belfast’s favourite small men trade leather.
Wilton (16-5-1) believes he has a big title in him and begins the next chapter of his career in the Europa Hotel on October 22nd.
“I did consider retirement a lot to be honest,” Wilton told Irish-boxing.com.
“But I had a look into the reasons [behind the defeat]. I was out for long time with no warm up fights and so on. If you look at my last three defeats they have all been to fighters that have went onto World or European level so that started telling me that I’m not finished yet.”
“I am not far away from these guys. I am not saying my fight with Edwards was close by any means, but if I had of had two maybe one warm up I know for a fact it would have been a different fight altogether.”
Edwards, who widely outpointed Wilton in Manchester, challenges John Riel Casimero for a World title on the GGG-Brook undercard tonight, and ‘Winky’ thinks his old foe has a chance.
“I think he will be in for a tough fight, but it’s winnable. If he uses the ring very well and if he stays on outside like he did with me he could win the fight handy enough.”
More important from a Wilton and Irish fight fan point of view is a fight date on October 22n. The flyweight returns on a Europa Hotel-hosted fight card and believe after a few oil ups he will be afforded the chance to challenge for another major title.
“I’m looking forward to getting back at it. I need a couple of fights before I get back anywhere near title level again. I want to get rid of rust. I still believe I have a big title in me before I do call it a day for good.”