Luckless Lucas finally gets his big title shot
‘As soon as I get in that ring for a title there’s no way I’m not winning’
Lucas Ballingall is hoping it's fourth time lucky as he finally looks to land the first belt of his professional career.
The Portsmouth lightweight has endured terrible misfortune in the pro ranks with three scheduled title fights falling through.
But those past experiences have made Ballingall even hungrier to claim the English title he will challenge holder Myron Mills for at the Sheffield Arena on May 21.
The 24-year-old, beaten for the first time in 14 pro fights in Belarus last August, has been granted a shot at the national lightweight belt he was first made mandatory challenger for the best part of two years ago.
Ballingall's six-year pro career up until now has been a story of hard luck with two Southern Area and a WBO European super featherweight title shot taken away from him because of injury to either himself or his scheduled opponents in the build-up to battle.
The Pompey prospect believes he's now due a bit of good luck and has no doubt he'll bring the belt home to his city when he faces Mills.
Ballingall said: 'Fingers crossed there’s no injuries on both teams. I want him to be 100 per cent going into the ring.
‘I’m going to be 100 per cent in the ring and I’m going to bring the title back to Pompey.
'I know I’m going to win, there’s no doubt I’m going to win.
‘The English title is a good belt, being champion of England is a good title to have.
I’m going to be 100 per cent andI’mgoingtobringthe title back to Pompey
Lucas Ballingall
‘It’ll be my first belt to win, I need to win it before thinking about anything else, but I’m confident I will and after that I’ll be pushing on.’
Incredibly, Ballingall’s first scheduled Southern Area fight was due to take place before brother Mikey McKinson had won a boxing belt.
He’s had to watch on as his sibling has collected four major titles, the latest the WBO Global welterweight belt at the weekend by beating Chris Kongo live on Sky Sports Box Office.
But now the spotlight will be on the younger brother Ballingall and he cannot wait to step into the ring and collect the first of what he hopes will be a host of boxing honours.
The lightweight added: ‘My career has been proper stop and start.
‘I’ve had a lot of big fights scheduled and they’ve not happened whether that’s their injuries or my injuries, they’ve just not happened.
‘I’ve been pro for six years now and still haven’t fought for a title.
‘I’ve finally got my chance and there’s no doubt in my mind I’m going to bring that title home.
‘I’ve been very unlucky.
‘I’m still young in the game but I feel a lot older. I’m only 24, but I’ve been pro for six years.
‘I was supposed to box for my first title before my brother boxed for his first titles. He’s now got four and I haven’t boxed for one.
‘I’m so hungry now and as soon as I get in that ring for a title there’s no way I’m not winning it.’