Golden State to host British champion: Preston boxer Scott Fitzgerald set to head to California for training camp

The 28-year-old Preston boxer – who is the reigning British super-welterweight champion – will fly to California, USA, with father and trainer Dave in the coming weeks.

Fitzgerald will link up with a couple of reputable gyms in the Golden State as he aims to be in the best possible shape for another titanic tussle with his former GB team-mate.

It was a year ago this month when the Larches and Savick Amateur Boxing Club ace somewhat upset the odds to defeat the 
highly-fancied Fowler on points at the Liverpool Arena.

He then went on to become British champion when he outpointed Ted Cheeseman in Newcastle a few months later.

The rematch against Fowler – which will be the first defence of his Lonsdale Belt – is likely to take place in June or July after plans for it to be staged at Preston North End’s Deepdale stadium at the end of May had to be 
shelved.

Fitzgerald is set to warm up for the Fowler fight by appearing up in weight on the undercard of Dillian Whyte’s heavyweight showdown with Alexander Povetkin on May 2 in Manchester.

“We’re hoping to go out to America and have a couple of weeks in California,” said Dave Fitzgerald.

“We will train at a couple of gyms which promoter Eddie Hearn has links to.

“Scott’s been over to Tenerife and Marbella training – he’s worked with Ben Davison, who used to train Tyson Fury.

“He’s over his hand injury now and I padded with him the other day and he is hitting harder than ever.”

Fowler has had three outings since losing to Fitzgerald – beating Blackpool’s Brian Rose and Harry Scarff on points before last weekend’s farcical first-round stoppage of late replacement Theophilus Tetteh in Manchester.

Fowler has changed trainers in recent months, switching from long-time coach Dave Coldwell to Shane McGuigan – son of former world featherweight champion Barry – in a bid to find an extra edge when he faces Fitzgerald.

“I don’t know if Fowler can improve much more,” said Dave Fitzgerald.

“He’s been boxing since he was nine or eight-years-old.

“Scott only started when he was 14 and so has not really been in and around the gym like Fowler has.

“Fowler won everything in the juniors right up to being a senior.”

Meanwhile, Fitzgerald headed down to his home club Larches and Savick to congratulate some of the gym’s rising stars, who have all enjoyed success on a regional level.

Owen Strickland (17), Layton Hobson (13), Maddock McPartland (14), brothers Patrick Gavin (15) and Jimmy Gavin (16) are all North West champions.

This Friday the club hosts a night of amateur boxing at St Bernard’s Catholic Club, in Elswick Road, Larches.

There will be 15 bouts over the course of the evening. Doors open at 6pm, with the first fight scheduled for 7pm.

Tickets cost £12, ring Jimmy on 07552714739 for further information.