Glenn Foot is adamant he should be an International Boxing Federation champion today, but he’ll be happy to add a Commonwealth title to his collection.
Foot faces unbeaten Scottish fighter Jason Easton this Saturday in Glasgow in his first bout since a crack at Josh Leather’s IBF European belt ended in a controversial points defeat last November.
The Sunderland light-welterweight is thrilled to be straight back into title action in Glasgow, live on Channel 5 to boot.
“I really should be the IBF champion now,” Foot told punch-lines ahead of the Cyclone Promotions event at the SSE Hydro.
“If I was beaten I would say ‘I lost fair and square’ but on the night Josh was a beaten man.
“I had my hands up, I knew I won the fight and Josh knew he’d lost.
“But the Commonwealth title is a great championship.
“I think people who saw the Leather bout knew I won and that’s probably why I’ve got this chance now.
“It’s nice to be on Channel 5 so everyone will be able to see it and it should be a cracking night.
“It could be a great night for the North East and I’m looking to bring the Commonwealth belt home.”
Talking of great nights, Foot is aiming to deliver a quick fire double for his boss, Phil Jeffries, who manages Lewis Ritson.
The British lightweight champion made a devastating maiden defence at the weekend when he stopped challenger Joe Murray inside two minutes.
Foot and Ritson enjoyed a spar or two in Peterlee at the East Durham College gym of Dave Binns.
“It was perfect sparring,” smiled the 30-year-old, who is known as ‘The Hammer’.
“Lewis Ritson loves coming forward and having a war! It was brilliant.
“I’ve also had great sparring in the gym with Darren Surtees and Tom Hill, who’s tall, like Easton.”
Scotland’s Josh Taylor defends his WBC silver light-welterweight title on the show against substitute opponent, Nicaraguan Winston Campos, at the SSE Hydro.
Words: Roy Kelly
