Brian Forsyth aims to prove he is worthy of headline status

Brian Forsyth says he hopes to prove his doubters wrong by bringing home the Scottish Area super middleweight title this weekend.
Brian Forsyth, right, has been training hardBrian Forsyth, right, has been training hard
Brian Forsyth, right, has been training hard

The undefeated Edinburgh boxer (6-0-1) headlines Saturday night’s MTK (formerly MGM Scotland) Ambition show at Meadowbank desperate to secure his maiden professional title with victory over Dumfriesshire opponent Rhys Pagen (13-3).

It’s been a whirlwind couple of months for the former Scottish amateur champion who was on the verge of quitting the sport for good towards the end of last year due to personal reasons. Forsyth revealed he has also had to contend with those who have consistently knocked his decision to switch to the paid ranks in the first place.

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But, rather than dwell on the past, the 30-year-old is ready to move ahead with his career starting with a win over compatriot Pagen.

“Around October or just after my last fight, I was in a bit of a bad place if I’m being honest,” Forsyth explained. “But, having this shot at a title, my first one, has picked me up a lot and has given me something to aim for. We’ll get Saturday out of the way first and see where we go from there.

“I won the Scottish as an amateur so to do it as a pro would be fantastic. I’ve had loads of people say to me ‘oh it won’t work out for you as a pro’ but I’ve put myself through it for the last two years. Even when I was just thinking of turning pro I had people on my back about it. But I’m going to grab this title with both hands. Don’t get me wrong it is hard and it’s not easy by any means but I’ve wanted to do this for myself. Winning on Saturday will open doors to bigger things if I decide to go down that route.

Boxing is a selfish sport so it’s always been about me. But it’s something I’ve always wanted to do and there are sacrifices you have to make as every boxer will tell you.”

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Forsyth will resort back to boxing at super middleweight this weekend having fought his previous two contests at light heavyweight. His opponent, meanwhile, an accustomed super welterweight, hasn’t fought competitively since August 2015.

“I’m certainly not taking anything for granted as I don’t look past or make judgement on anybody,” Forsyth said. “I just go in there and do what I need to do. Every time he has stepped up in weight that’s when he’s lost so he’s doing the same again.

“Look back to David Haye and Tony Bellew last weekend. Haye had barely fought anyone for five years and came back in against a guy who has been fighting constantly for the last 18 months. Even from the first round it looked like Haye didn’t want to be there so that could work in my favour.

“It’s not been difficult making the weight as I’ve structured my diet and been drinking loads of water so I’m feeling good. I’m used to it to be honest as that’s what I did in my first couple of fights before I let myself slide a wee bit.

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“It’s normally me kicking off the shows so for me to be headlining this time around is just perfect. It’s a big step. It’s going to be a long wait but I’ll be sitting in the dressing room with the rest of the boys getting ready and then getting the buzz off them when they come back having boxed. That will fire me up.”

Meanwhile, light heavyweight Tommy Philbin (7-0) and super featherweight Stephen Tiffney (6-0) both put their undefeated records on the line. Ratu Latianara (2-0) is eyeing his third straight win in the cruiserweight division.

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