Turbo ready to charge in 2019
TERRY Flanagan is aiming to put a bad year behind him, and has set his sights on becoming world champion again in 2019.
The Ancoats fighter had hoped to become a two-weight world champion in June when he took on Texan Maurice Hooker for the vacant WBO super lightweight crown in Manchester – but ended up on the wrong end of a split decision.
Then, in October in New Orleans, ‘Turbo’ was outpointed by American Regis Prograis after entering the World Boxing Super Series, hitting the canvas for the first time in his career.
With those setbacks behind him, Flanagan has since revealed that tendonitis – and an inability to do roadwork – hadn’t helped with making the lightweight limit.
With the problem now resolved, the Mancunian says he would definitely compete again at lightweight – where he held the WBO title – but also still hopes to land the big fights at super-lightweight.
“Personally, I thought the Prograis fight was a close one,” said Flanagan, who is back in the gym, ticking over with trainer Steve Maylett.
“Other than the round when I got knocked down, which he won clearly – I even came back at him in that round.
“He’s a good fighter, don’t get me wrong, but he never dominated me.
“Obviously he was the home fighter and I knew it was going to be hard winning on points over there.
“He fought differently to what we expected. It was good tactics from him, we expected him to try and blow me away, but he went on the back foot.
“We trained for him to walk onto shots, but he never really committed to anything.
“It was a bad night for me, but it was a good experience going over there and fighting away from home. It was just a shame about the result.
“I’m in between lightweight and light-welter, and I just want the quickest route back to a world title.
“I can still make lightweight, and I’m plenty big enough for light welterweight. It’s just that I fought one of the most awkward fighters at 10 stone (Maurice Hooker) and then came up against the WBSS favourite in his hometown. Whatever comes up first, whether it’s lightweight or light-welter, then I’m easy.”
And he hasn’t ruled out a clash with fellow Mancunian Anthony Crolla.
He said: “I’d face anyone – Lomachenko, Mikey Garcia, Crolla, Luke Campbell, Josh Taylor – those big fights are the ones I want and I’ve proved that.
“My first fight at 10 stone was a world title fight after being out of the ring for 14 months, and when I lost I could have had an easy warm up, but I wanted to get in and test myself against the best.
“I’d like rematches with Hooker and Prograis too, I want them more than anything, to avenge those losses.”
FLANAGAN AIMING TO REGAIN WORLD TITLE IN NEW YEAR