Maughan's Irish title goal

Terry Maughan is targeting an assault on the Irish title - providing he comes through his six-rounder on Friday [October 28] unscathed.

The Nottingham light-middleweight boxes in his home city, over 12 minutes against Andy Hardy on a Carl Greaves and Jimmy Gill-promoted five-fight bill at Clifton Leisure Centre, looking to register his sixth paid win in eight.

Though he broke even in his first four fights, the former three-time British kick-boxing champion has won three on the spin, including tamings of solid southpaw Wayne Downing and teak-tough Ryan Clark, without dropping a single session.

And the Tony Harris-trained fighter will hope to continue that form against a winless but willing 26-year-old who also hails from the Lace City. Hardy has been matched tough in his four professional outings [two debutants and two unbeaten middleweights] but has extended them all and a maiden win at home is certain to be on his agenda.

But ambitious Maughan, boxing in Nottingham for the fourth time, sees his future at a championship level - and the idle Irish 11st title, which hasn't been contested since iron-fisted former British champion Neil Sinclair blasted through Henry Coyle to win it in three rounds two years ago, is flashing brightly on his radar. 

First, however, the East Midlander knows he has to contend with a come-forward boxer who aims to ruin the party.

"I'm expecting to have a difficult fight on Friday," admitted an improving scrapper who hails from the same area of Nottingham [Sneinton] as one of the greatest-ever bare-knuckle fighters, William 'Bendigo' Thompson. 

"He's tough, comes to have a row and, like myself, will be looking to impress in his home town. But I've put in the hard work, both inside and outside of the gym, so there's no excuse; i'm ready for whatever Hardy brings.

"The Irish title is something i'm looking at in the future, as the title is vacant and i could put myself in a decent position to fight for it if i get a few more wins under my belt. But i'm not looking past Friday. 

"It'll be my first fight of the new season and i'm looking forward to my sixth win," the 26-year-old, who is joined on the card by two other Irish-rooted fighters, Bulwell's Midland Area cruiserweight champion Shane McPhilbin and Burton's British Masters 12st boss Jonjo Finnegan, added.