‘Hungry’ Lucas awaits English title phone call
Ballingall bidding to end year on a high and hope is for a big 2020
Lucas Ballingall will be looking to show off his skills as he brings his boxing year to an end on Sunday.
The Portsmouth fighter takes on Ivan Godol in the Atlantic Promotions Sleigher show on South Parade Pier.
It will close what has been a largely frustrating 2019 for the lightweight.
The 23-year-old, who has won all 12 of his professional bouts, has been waiting patiently for a chance at a title shot.
Ballingall was set to take on Archie Sharpe in a televised fight for the WBO European title earlier this year, only for his opponent to go elsewhere.
He is also the mandatory for the English lightweight belt, which is held by Myron Mills.
But, as of yet, a title opportunity has failed to arise for Ballingall.
However, his coach, manager and father Michael Ballingall fully expects him to see off Godol.
And then it’s just a case of waiting for his title chance to come in 2020.
‘Lucas is looking good,’ said Michael. ‘The weight has come off. Lucas is a big, tall lightweight.
‘He’s been training well, but we haven’t really had any sparring for this fight to be truthful.
‘There’s not really been much help around the local areas in terms of sparring for him.
‘It’s just a waiting game with Lucas, we’re waiting for that big opportunity. He needs to be fighting and ticking over.
‘Lucas is also mandatory for the English title that Myron Mills holds.
‘Things could start happening but we’ve just got to sit and wait at the moment.
‘Lucas is young and hungry and we’re ready for a phone call after this fight, definitely.’
Another one of Michael Ballingall’s fighters, Connor Edney, is also figthing in the South Parade Pier show on Sunday.
It will be the Horndeanbased boxer’s second professional bout.
And his coach is looking for his impressive transformation to continue. ‘Connor is looking very good and determined. ‘Since the summer when he started training with me and Miles he has come on leaps and bounds. ‘He is definitely a learner and he’s got loads to learn. ‘Connor’s got good future ahead
The number of bouts Lucas Ballingall will have had in 2019 a of him, especially being a super flyweight as well.
‘If we can get a couple of wins out of the way, hopefully we can challenge Ricky Little for his Southern Area title if he’s still about in the summer time.
‘It would be a great opportunity for both fighters.’
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