Callum Thompson believes he is in perfect shape ahead of his return to the ring and has set his sights on challenging for titles next year.
Thompson returns to the ring for the second time this year when he takes on Marian Marius Istrate on the undercard of Michael Conlan’s IBF world title clash with Luis Alberto Lopez in Belfast on Saturday night.
The 24-year-old, nicknamed 'The Tank', moved to 6-0 in the professional ranks with a points win over Christian Lopez Flores at the Bowlers Exhibition Centre in Manchester last time out.
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"I have been training now for ten weeks, so everything is perfect," he told the ECHO. "I’m all on track and just looking forward to Saturday now.
"I boxed in February, and I just want a busy year. I'm trying to get as many fights under my belt as I can this year and push on for titles next year.
"This is a six-rounder that I am doing on Saturday, my second one. I want to start upping my rounds. Maybe do two more sixes and then jump up to eighths."
Trained and managed by Manchester-based Joe Gallagher, Thompson counts the likes of Natasha Jonas, Paul Butler and Charlie Edwards as gym-mates. And he believes their experience of challenging for world title belts will only help his own career.
He said: "Seeing the likes of Tasha, Paul, and Charlie, people who have been there and done it, is obviously a massive help for me in my career."
Istrate has lost his last nine fights, but he has never been stopped in his professional career, and although Thompson expects tougher tests to come, he believes the fight is one that is a step in the right direction for his development.
He said: "It is a step in the right direction, and it is a bit of a step up in terms of the opponent. Getting the rounds in is a valuable experience.
"Some of the journeymen, you have to give credit to; some of them are tough, and it is hard to get them out of there [the ring].
"Obviously, when you face fighters who are coming to win, it opens things up more, and it is easier to look good.
"But against journeymen, they go on the ropes and tighten up. It can be hard to look against them, but if you have someone coming to win, it is going to bring the best out of me.
"Also, I’ve got to give a shout out to my sponsors, Keith Dimelow of Genertech Power Solutions, the lads from Montirex and Jack at Mr.Billionsfx for all their support."
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