Title could open door to world for Flanagan
ANCOATS ACE OUT TO CLAIM SECOND CROWN AGAINST HOOKER
TERRY Flanagan could enter the World Boxing Super Series if he defeats Maurice Hooker in their WBO super-lightweight title fight tomorrow.
The Ancoats boxer will look to become a two-weight world champion when he faces the American for the vacant title on the undercard of Tyson Fury’s comeback fight at the Manchester Arena.
The 140 pound division is due to be one of the weight classes in the next edition of the successful WBSS.
The tournament has been praised during the past 12 months following its debut season, with a supermiddleweight final between rivals George Groves and Callum Smith set to take place later this year, along with a cruiserweight final between Oleksandr Usyk and Murat Gassiev.
Competing in the WBSS could give Flanagan the chance to face off against some of the other world champions at super-lightweight, and he would be more than happy to get involved.
“If the opportunity comes up to fight in the Super Series then I’ll jump at the chance. I think there have been initial talks but I just leave that to my manager Steve Wood. They all get paid well in the WBSS too and that’s the main thing,” said Flanagan.
“The big fights are what I want. If I come through this then we can start talking about those fights, but I’m not looking past Maurice Hooker yet.
“This week is the best I’ve ever felt because the extra weight has helped me. I’ve been able to eat more so I’m a lot happier and chirpier this week and ready to go.
“Everybody has been saying they can’t believe what good spirits I am in.”
While Flanagan is fighting for a world title tomorrow, unsurprisingly it has been Fury that has gained the most attention on the card ahead of his comeback bout with Sefer Seferi.
Flanagan says he prefers it that way, as it means he can fully focus on his fight without having to worry about any other distractions.
“There is no pressure for me to try and sell the show. I’ve never been one for shouting my mouth and doing this and that, so I’m happy that Tyson is on the bill,” said Flanagan.
“It’s going to be a tough fight against Hooker.
“He is coming over here to win and has tried saying a few things to get under my skin, but it won’t work.
“I’m fully switched on and it would be great to follow in the footsteps of Ricky Hatton by becoming another fighter from Manchester to become a two-weight world champion.”