Forres-based Kynoch Boxing Scotland fighter Fraser Wilkinson wants to headline a Moray show after turning professional
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FRASER Wilkinson wants to bring major fight nights to Elgin after being signed up as a professional boxer.
The 20-year-old Hopeman lad, now based in Forres, was granted his British Boxing Board of Control license to fight for Glasgow management and promotions firm Kynoch Boxing Scotland.
Wilkinson’s dedication to his sport over the past 10 years on the amateur scene led to Scottish youth title fights and international appearances.
But after a recent stint in the Royal Marines, he feels he has developed even more strength and discipline within himself to help him succeed on the pro circuit.
The super welterweight follows fellow Elgin ABC product Andrew Smart into turning pro, and the builder will continue to train at his home club with head coach Paul ‘Ratch’ Gordon.
“I’m ecstatic to get this chance. My long-term goal is to box full-time I want to be in the position where I can just be in the gym 24/7 and be the best version of myself,” he said.
Read more: Elgin Boxing Club back in the gym
“I would also love to be in contention for winning a British title one day.
Some top level fighters skip out the British level and go straight on to inter-continental level, but I can’t imagine turning pro and not wanting to win that Lonsdale belt.”
After joining Elgin at the age of 10, within three months he was taking on competitive bouts and making a name for himself.
By the time he had gained selection for the Scotland squad, he was making weekly journeys down to the central belt to pursue his career.
“I was getting up at 5am to drive down the road to Glasgow and train for five hours, have lunch and drive back up the road and go to work on Monday morning. I was doing that every weekend, relentlessly for a year- and-a-half.”
During lockdown last year, he signed up for a stint with the Marines which he believes can push him further in boxing. “I felt served for three months of basic training and I felt it was good for me because it taught me a lot about myself.
“I was out on exercises and no-one can tell me there’s anything harder than that – it was brutal,” he said.
“It told me how far I can actually push myself. I know now that in boxing I maybe wasn’t pushing myself to the max and that was why I wasn’t getting to places where I wanted to be and how opportunities weren’t going my way.”
Wilkinson says his greatest night in boxing was headlining his club’s home show and beating a much heavier fighter drafted in as a last-minute opponent when his scheduled rival pulled out.
He hopes to get a first pro fight by the end of the summer if Covid restrictions allow, and would love to have a show in his home area.
“I can’t wait to have my own fans and to fill out a venue like Elgin town hall and have a really good night,” said Wilkinson.
“That would be something special and it’s my target within the next two years.”
