Scott will always have Rio regret

Scott Fitzgerald will be casting a few envious glances towards his television screen when the Olympic Games get under way next month,
Scott FitzgeraldScott Fitzgerald
Scott Fitzgerald

The 24-year-old boxing ace is sure to be a keen spectator of the boxing competition in Rio as many of his former GB team-mates go gunning for gold.

Up until late last year, Fitzgerald had his own dreams of being on the plane to Brazil and taking part in the greatest sporting event on Earth.

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After winning a Commonwealth Games gold medal in glorious fashion two years ago in Glasgow, it was always in the former Our Lady’s High School pupil’s grand plan to compete in Rio.

But after a great deal of soul searching, Fitzgerald decided to abandon his Olympic dreams and announced his intention to turn professional in November.

The former Larches and Savick Amateur Boxing star has not looked back since signing for Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing promotions company.

He has won all of his first three pro fights and has appeared on some of the biggest venues in the UK, including the Manchester Arena and Goodison Park.

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However, he does have a little lingering regret that he will not be showcasing his considerable talents on the Olympic stage this summer.

“All the lads on Team GB have flown out to Brazil,” said light-middleweight Fitzgerald.

“I think they were going out there at the end of last week.

“I will obviously see them out there and there is a little regret that I am not out there with them.

“It was always the plan to go to the Olympics, but I made the decision to turn professional and I’ll be honest, I’ve been a lot happier since leaving the squad.

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“I was fighting at welterweight for GB and I was struggling to make that weight.

“I feel like I made the right decision turning pro but when the Olympics are on, I’ll be watching the lads and hoping they do well. In the back of my head somewhere, I’ll probably be wishing I was out there but I’m happy now.”

Fitzgerald’s immediate focus is this weekend when he takes on Manchester southpaw Darryl Sharp in the Leeds Rumble. In order to prepare himself for the challenge of Sharp, Fitzgerald has been sparring with Chorley southpaw Jack Catterall and Blackpool’s Ryan Davies over the past two weeks at Jennings’ gym in Coppull.

He has been working under the watchful eye of Chorley’s former British champion Michael and his brother Dave.

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“I’ve had some good, tough sparring,” said Fitzgerald, who will continue to be trained by dad Dave. “I think if I had gone into a fight against a southpaw without sparring against any southpaws, I wouldn’t be too confident, so the sparring I have had has been good.”

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