Luke Wilton: "This will be my third chance at a title and will probably be my last"
Luke Wilton admits he is drinking in the last-chance saloon, as he prepares to face Tommy Frank for the vacant Commonwealth Super Flyweight Title on March 15, live on Freesports.
Wilton stepped in after original opponent Ross Murray withdrew.
With 26 bouts under his belt – 20 wins – the Belfast man heads into the contest the far more experienced fighter; with Tommy a relative novice at 9-0 (1).
Luke has lost two previous attempts at title level though and knows, aged 30, that another is unlikely to come his way again if he doesn’t manage to beat Frank at Sheffield’s Ponds Forge Arena.
Although his opponent has home advantage, Wilton isn’t fazed. A pro since 2008, Luke has been in with far better opposition, having previously faced current WBC World Flyweight Champion Charlie Edwards, former IBF World Bantamweight king Lee Haskins, and former British Flyweight Champ Kevin Satchell – albeit losing to all three.
Ahead of the pivotal career contest, Luke says his focus is purely on getting himself right for the fight, and that he is confident that he will make it third time lucky and claim his first belt.
“I don’t know too much on Tommy because he hasn’t been around that long,” stated Luke.
“I don’t study opponents anyway, I leave that to my coach. I’ll take the fight as it comes for the first couple of rounds and adjust. I’m a box-fighter, I can do both – box and fight. I’ll just concentrate on me, and if I’m the best Luke Wilton, then I’ll win the title.
“Of course, I have to look at this as my last chance at a big title. I’m 30 now and there aren’t many flyweights or super flyweights at my age. So, you have to look at it like that. That gives me an extra incentive though. This will be my third chance at a title and will probably be my last.
“I’m looking forward to fighting in Sheffield. I’ve got a good squad coming over with me and they’ll make plenty of noise. And I’m pleased it’s going to be live on Freesports, that’s more exposure for me and for the sport.”
Dennis Hobson Promotions, in association with JJ Crump, present an evening of boxing at Sheffield’s Ponds Forge Arena on March 15. Topping the bill will be Sheffield’s Tommy Frank and Belfast’s Luke Wilton contesting the vacant Commonwealth Super Flyweight Title.
Appearing on the undercard will be Manchester’s Michael Gomez Jr; Sheffield’s Kane Salvin, Keanen Wainwright; Chris Dutton, and Sufyaan Ahmed; and Sweden’s Redouane Kaya.
For ticket information, call 0114 243 4443.
The show will be televised live at 9pm on Freesports (Freeview 64; Sky 422; Virgin 533; Freesat 252; TalkTalk 64; BT 64).