Fitzy is ready to make his move

The time is nigh for Preston boxer Scott Fitzgerald to realise his huge potential – and that is coming from the man himself.

The light-middleweight fighter get his 2018 campaign underway on Sunday when he takes on Ghanaian Ishmael Tetteh at the Victoria Warehouse Hotel, in Manchester.

A former national amateur champion – who went on to claim a glorious gold medal at the Commonwealth Games, in Glasgow – Fitzgerald’s career as a professional has stuttered and stalled mainly due to a series of niggling injuries.

It has meant that since turning professional at the back end of 2015, the former Larches and Savick Amateur Boxing Club ace has only fought eight times.

Now aged 26, Fitzgerald – who has won every one of his bouts in the paid ranks – admits he needs to start making his move sooner rather than later if he wants to fulfil all of his career ambitions.

His immediate concern is taking care of Tetteh which, if all goes according to plan, will be a tune-up for a possible title fight on April 21 on the undercard of former welterweight world champion Amir Khan’s clash at the Liverpool Arena.

Fitzgerald is hopeful of getting a shot at the English title this year at some point, which could open the door for a tilt at a prestigious Lonsdale belt.

Long term, Fitzgerald has designs on competing at European and world level.

“I am 26 now so the time is now” said Fitzgerald

(pictured). “I would like to be where I want to be by the time I’m 30.

“I want to be fighting for world titles by then.

“Hopefully have a few defences of the belt, make some money and retire at 35.

“It’s not a sport you want to stay too long in.

“I am hoping that I will be fighting for the English title in April.

“If not I would like to know the reason why?

“I know a lot of the lads at my weight in this country and I won’t be bothered about facing any of them.”

Tetteh has won 34 of his 49 bouts and has been in the ring with some high-class opponents, including

Martin Murray and Luke Blackledge.

“Tetteh has won 34 and had 20 knock outs,” said

Fitzgerald. “He’s fought some good opponents, but I am feeling great. I have

prepared well for this fight.”