OPPORTUNITY knocks for a third time for Martin Harkin. After two gritty but ultimately unsuccessful outings last year against rising stars Michael McKinson and Kaisee Benjamin, the Dumbarton welterweight steps into the ring tonight with a chance to become European champion.
Standing between him and the vacant WBO belt – in what is also now a British title eliminator – is Liam Taylor. The Englishman’s 24-2-1 record makes him favourite to come out on top in Bolton but this is his first fight of the year, and that ring rustiness is something that Harkin believes ought to go in his favour.
The Scot is aware that time is marching on, however. Now 30 years old, the St Andrew’s Sporting Club fighter with the 15-2 record knows that opportunities like this don’t come around too often and he is eager to not let it pass him by.
