Fitzy eyes a fast-track to the top

The 24-year-old light middleweight – who has been tipped by many to be a future world champion – is only three bouts into his fledgling pro career after making the switch at the end of last year.

Having already established his pedigree by winning the Commonwealth Games gold medal in 2014 and the National ABA title the year before, Fitzgerald believes it will not be long before he is ready to fight for big titles.

The ex-Larches and Savick Amateur Boxing Club man believes this time next year, he could be on the cusp of getting his hands on a prestigious Lonsdale belt by fighting for the British title.

Since signing for Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing promotion company, Fitzgerald has won all three pro fights by way of stoppage.

He has featured on some big shows – including his last outing in May when he defeated Gabor Balogh at Everton’s Goodison Park on the undercard of Tony Bellew’s world cruiserweight victory over Ilunga Makabu.

“It’s been brilliant to get the three stoppages in my first three fights,” said Fitzgerald.

“I’m actually not that bothered about keeping up the stoppages.

“They have just come – and come comfortably in the fights. Hopefully, they will continue, but I’m going to need rounds in my legs anyway, so I’m quite happy to go the distance.

“I still have lots to learn and need that experience of fighting rounds so I’m ready for what lies ahead, because by this time next year, I will hopefully have a big fight lined up – maybe a British title fight or a British eliminator – that would be nice.

“I’m 24-years-old now, I will be 25 by the end of this year so I don’t want to be waiting around too long.”

Fitzgerald, who is now training at Chorley’s former welterweight champion Michael Jennings’ gym in Coppull, is set for his fourth bout on Saturday when he takes on Darryl Sharp in the Leeds Rumble.

Although he has lost eight of his 11 pro fights so far, southpaw Sharp has shown that he has got a big heart and good stamina.

He is yet to be stopped in any of his fights and has proven to be no respecter of reputations after beating the previously unbeaten Chris Monaghan and Adam Ismail this year.

He lost in his last outing earlier this month against James Metcalf in Solihull.

“Sharp is a good opponent,” said Fitzgerald. “He’s had a couple of good wins.

“He took on a couple of guys who had won all of their fights, but he went out and beat them both. He’s a southpaw too so that will bring some problems.

“It looks like he’s fit and is ready to work hard.

“In a four-round fight anything can happen. If you lose one round you have to make sure you win the other three to make sure of the victory, so I need to be on my game.”