Dingwall boxer Ben Bartlett looking to make most of long-awaited opportunity to become Scottish champion in the professional ranks
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Dingwall boxer Ben Bartlett has a chance to become the first boxer to bring a professional championships north of the Kessock Bridge this weekend.
Bartlett has long made his intentions of winning the Scottish title clear, and he will finally step into the ring with that belt on the line in Glasgow tomorrow night.
Although this moment has been a target for years, the "Bad Boy" is confident, now that the moment has arrived, that he will get the job done and become champion.
“It’s been a long 10 weeks of training," he admitted.
“The camp has been good, so I’m just looking forward now to getting in and doing the business – and hopefully taking that belt back home to Dingwall.
“I feel good, like I definitely deserve the shot. I’ve put in a lot of work over the last two or three years to get into a position to fight for a title.
“I just feel like this is my time to do the business.
“It would mean everything to win. This is what you dream of when you first start boxing, so to do that as a professional and be the first one to win it from across the Kessock Bridge – and only the second person from the whole of the Highlands – would be amazing.”
Bartlett will be going up against Alfie Poole, but that is not the only hurdle to overcome.
It will also be the first time Bartlett walks into a bout knowing it could go as long as 10 rounds, but he hopes the work done over recent months has him in peak condition.
“We’re fairly confident that we’ve got enough in our arsenal to deal with (Poole)," Bartlett reasoned.
“At the end of the day, in the fight game anything can happen, but my training camp has been superb.
“I’ve done everything right, I’ve eaten right and trained right, so what will be will be.
“This will be my first 10 round fight, so I’m making the adjustment from six rounds.
“I’ve been doing a lot more cardio, getting fresh bodies in to spar to make it a lot harder for me. Eating right has been a big thing as well, so my cardio has gone through the roof.
“I’ve definitely been a lot more disciplined and a lot more focused. I’ve learned a lot about myself too – how no matter what I always get the work in.
“Whether it’s sleet, rain or snow, or if something has happened outside of the ring giving me a mental challenge, I’m always in the gym no matter what.
“I really hope it all pays off and I can take the title home.”
Although his training camp has been a good one, Bartlett has had to deal with a change of date and venue for his title fight.
It was originally due to take place in Aberdeen – where the Highland Boxing Academy athlete has been strongly supported in the past – last week, but was moved to this Saturday in Glasgow to due to injuries to other boxers.
As far as Bartlett is concerned though, that does not change things too much as he still expects to have strong and vocal backing in the central belt.
“That was a bit of a pain when we had to make the change," he added.
“It was due to injuries to other boxers, but the job still remains the same. I still have the same opponent, I’m still fighting for the same title, so I will be ready to go.
“I’m still taking an army down from the Highlands, so it’s going to be good.
“I know everyone is looking forward to seeing me perform, and I’m looking forward to performing for everyone that’s making the journey down.”
