Strathpeffer boxer Ben Bartlett cannot wait to represent Highland Boxing Academy in main event of Northern Sporting Club's first show in the Highlands
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Professional boxer Ben Bartlett is counting down the days until he can step back inside the ring.
Thankfully for the 22-year-old, he only has eight more to wait until he headlines a show in Inverness for his first taste of competition since the pandemic started.
Originally from Strathpeffer but now living in Dingwall, Bartlett is signed to Northern Sporting Club who will be putting on a show in the Highlands for the first time at Inverness Leisure.
Bartlett will be taking on 31-year-old Englishman Jamie Quin, who will boast a vast experience advantage.
With home advantage, though, Bartlett is not worried about that – instead just excited for the occasion.
“I’m just buzzing to be back in the ring after over 20 months out,” he said.
“It’s going to be some night, I know I’ve got a lot of support coming. I can’t wait to get in the ring and do the business.
“In some ways the time off has actually helped me a lot because I’ve worked on so much in the gym. I’ve been putting in constant training all the time, so in ways it has benefited me. I just can’t wait to get in there and show it all off.
“I’ll probably feel a little bit nervous, but I’ll be buzzing at the same time.
“I always take a good support with me wherever I’m fighting, so being in Inverness it’s just going to be an absolute buzz.
“It has probably been a dream of mine to headline in Inverness, so to be doing it at 22 years old is amazing. It’s definitely extra motivation, 100 per cent.”
While not entirely uncommon for young professionals trying to bolster their record, from the outside it would appear to be less than ideal that Bartlett’s opponent was only confirmed this week.
It is not something that has affected his preparations though.
Training at Highland Boxing Academy, it has been business as usual for Bartlett since the show was announced.
“You just train like you’re fighting anyone,” he reasoned.
“You’ve got to put in the same amount of effort as you would with anyone. That’s all you can do.”
Other names due to be competing on the show include Callum Stuart, Andrew Smart, Dylan McDonagh and Jason Harty.
Tickets are still available for the show on December 4 from Ben Bartlett or Highland Boxing Academy
