By Elliot Foster
Scott Fitzgerald has decided to turn his back on preparation for this year’s Olympics and join the professional ranks.
The Team GB podium star, who inked terms with Eddie Hearn and Matchroom Sport back in September, is a Commonwealth Games gold medallist.
Fitzgerald was originally set to make his bow in the paid game, in the super welterweight division, at Liverpool’s Echo Arena, on November 7 as part of the undercard to Callum Smith’s 165-second blitzing of fellow Scouser Rocky Fielding.
But after suffering an injury just days into preparations for his debut, the Prestonian’s maiden outing was scratched and he was forced into a period on the sidelines.
However, it has now been revealed that the 23-year-old will fight without the headguard and gloves for the first time on February 27 as part of the undercard to the super bantamweight world title unification showdown between Carl Frampton (21-0, 14 KOs), Belfast’s IBF champion, and Bury’s WBA Super titlist Scott Quigg (31-0-2, 23 KOs).
“Not a lot of people know this, but [Fitzgerald will] make his debut on the Frampton-Quigg card,” his manager, Steve Wood, exclusively told Boxing Scene.
“He was supposed to box on the [Callum] Smith-[Rocky] Fielding card last year, but he suffered a broken thumb and plans were thrown off-course.
“But now we have a date and he’s working towards it very well.”
Fitzgerald will then, providing he comes through unscathed, be added to Matchroom’s next show in Liverpool, at the Echo Arena, on April 2 –– a card that is set to feature Callum Smith in a potential European title fight with champion Hadillah Mohoumadi as well as his brother Paul, St Helens’ Martin Murray, the return of Rocky Fielding, plus much more.
Elliot Foster is part of Boxing Scene's UK team. Follow him on Twitter @FreelanceFoz
