Graveyard shift no problem for Scott

Billed as a live floater on the undercard of the “Leeds Rumble”, the 24-year-old had to wait until after midnight before his fight against Manchester’s Darryl Sharp got under way

His early-morning start was due to the fact that several of the fights on the bill went the distance.

Even the headline act, home-town boy Josh Warrington, needed nine rounds before he finally disposed of Irishman Patrick Hyland.

Despite the late night, the 2014 Commonwealth Games champion had no problems in beating his opponent as he secured a comprehensive points victory over the four-round contest.

While obviously pleased with the win, Fitzgerald was disappointed that many of his supporters – who had travelled from Preston – missed his performance because they had to catch their transport home.

His trainer, dad Dave, said: “It was just one of those things on Saturday night – nobody’s fault really.

“We want Scott to be a live floater because he would have been on television and Eddie Hearn is really pushing him

“But unfortunately nobody got stopped and most of the fights went the distance.

“If there had been an early stoppage in one of the main fights, Scott would have been on next.

“But because they went the distance, Scott did not get on until after midnight and that’s the thing about being a live floater.

“In a way it was a good experience to go through because we were in the dressing room at 5pm. He had his gloves and bandages on twice during the evening, but it wasn’t until 12.20 am before he stepped in the ring.

“The disappointing thing is about 500 people went to watch him but many of them did not get to see him because they had to catch their coach back home.

“Scott’s put an apology out on Twitter, but it’s not his fault. If he isn’t as good as he is, then he would have been on at 5pm.”

Despite the testing schedule, the former Larches and Savick Amateur Boxing Club member did well to maintain his 100% record in the paid ranks.

“After what he went through, he did well to go out and produce a performance – the same goes for the other lad as well,” said Dave, who trains his son alongside Michael and Dave Jennings at Coppull Mill.

“It was the latest Scott has ever fought and it took 
him a round to blow the cobwebs off.

“But after that, he beat him up. He could have stopped him in the third and ended up getting the points victory.”

Fitzgerald’s next outing is scheduled for October 15 at the Liverpool Arena where he will appear on the undercard of Tony Bellew’s cruiserweight title defence.

There are plans to organise a show at the Guild Hall in November where Fitzgerald will top the bill.

Meanwhile, Chorley’s Jack Catterall uis set to face Tyrone Nurse for the British title later this year. Nurse defended his crown by outpointing Tommy Coyle, in Leeds, on Saturday.