Flanagan shapes up for bout with Uruguayan to regain world title push Boxer eyes top again
TOWNSVILLE boxer Mark Flanagan has his sights on another world title shot in 2018 but first he’s determined to prove himself against Uruguayan Mauricio Barragan.
Flanagan ( 23- 5- 0 16KO) will step into the ring with Barragan ( 16- 2- 0 9KO) at Brisbane’s Mansfield Tavern on March 17 in what shapes as a massive opportunity for both fighters. The soon- to- be rivals have trod similar paths in boxing, building impressive records, only to fall short in their long- awaited world title bouts.
Flanagan suffered a points decision loss to Russian Denis Lebedev for the WBA Super World Cruiserweight Title in July last year before making a triumphant return to Townsville in November with his fourth- round stoppage of Argentine Pablo Magrini.
Barragan was outclassed by English heavyweight Daniel Dubois for the WBA Super World Cruiserweight Title.
However, he also bounced back with a second- round knockout in his next fight as he prepared to make the trip to Australia.
The 29- year- old is no stopgap opponent and Flanagan’s promoter Angelo Di Carlo believed a win over Barragan would put his fighter back in the world title picture.
“The simple fact is we’re looking at a world title shot this year but it’s not easy to get him shots, being a puncher like he is,” Di Carlo said. “He’s got world- class power and people aren’t going to risk titles against somebody with so much power.
“They’re looking for some- one more with boxing ability rather than power to knock them out ... We thought he ( Barragan) would be the right match. He’s got a good record but he’s failed in his attempt at the top as well.
“Both of them are in the same position in that they need to prove something to get that opportunity for another world title.
“If they want to go back in the lion’s den then they need to be impressive in these fights.”
Meanwhile, fellow North Queenslander Liam Paro will also fight on the March 17 card as he takes on Andrew Wallace for the vacant Australian Super Lightweight Title.
The former Upper Ross Hawks fighter is unbeaten after 11 fights with seven knockouts.
Paro has what Di Carlo described as a “keep busy fight” this weekend but he believed the young pugilist had all the talent to follow in Flanagan’s footsteps.
“I personally believe Mark’s going to get another opportunity but I think the big gun coming through is Liam Paro,” Di Carlo said.
“He’s going to be Queensland’s next champion.” North world underestimate their rivals in today’s clash in Adelaide.
She also said their first year shows the potential Brisbane have for an exciting future.
While the bookies have them as outsiders — sitting in fifth for the premiership at $ 7 with Ladbrokes — Ashmore knows they are ready to prove everyone wrong once again in 2018.
“I expected ( the doubt) to be the exact same ( this year). When we had won four games last year, they were still doubting us. It was pretty disappointing but it fuels us,” she said.
“We’ll just do our thing.”