By Terence Dooley
Former featherweight Commonwealth champion Paul Truscott moved to 17-2 (2) on the Matchroom promoted bill in Huddersfield on March 5th. However, the 24-year-old’s joy at posting a six-round points win over Zsolt Nargy was tempered by disappointment due to the fact that he had come agonizingly close to securing a British title shot against super-featherweight boss Gary Sykes, who defeated Carl Johanneson that same night.
A Sykes-Truscott showdown looked a done deal as recently as February tenth. Carl, though, had other ideas, the former Lonsdale belt holder demanded that the BBBoC honor his mandatory status and Truscott saw his title shot evaporate in the space of a few days, leaving him with the unenviable task of getting himself up for a fight against Hungarian journeyman Nagy, 15-21 (7).
Middlesbrough’s finest took a few shots en route to his 60-55 win, describing it as a small step on the road to a title fight when analyzing his performance. “It was workmanlike, really,” admitted ‘Trussy’.
“I was not so much going through the motions but just doing the work. It was good because I can correct a few of the mistakes I’ve been making like dropping my hands and pulling back. He can’t punch but I got caught with a few silly ones. You should never disrespect a fighter but sometimes they don’t hurt you and you know you can take a few without worrying. It is a bit depressing, I just needed to mark time.”
Sykes’s decision win over Johanneson left more questions than answers, Gary visited the canvas in round nine and he looked worryingly vulnerable at times. Truscott is keen to secure a showdown against Dewsbury’s finest, he is also adamant that he can get down to featherweight for a match against the winner of British champion John Simpson’s rematch with Commonwealth holder Stephen Smith.
“I want to fight for a title and my next fight could be Sykes for the title. I’d go down to featherweight if I could get the winner of Smith and Simpson. I think I’d beat them all on my game, no disrespect,” insisted Truscott, who twice lost out to Simpson during their 2009 Commonwealth duels.
“I thought John won the first fight against Smith to tell you the truth but it should be another close fight and go the same way, it will be close again, a bit messy and a bit scrappy. I’d be happy to fight the winner. I’ll fight anyone. If I get five, six weeks I can show what I can do and just need that opportunity. I’ve had four fights since I boxed Simpson and have to just bide my time until I get the opportunity – I’ll win when I get it.”
This was Truscott’s second win over Nagy, the visitor went six-rounds with Truscott last September, Paul believes that these fights have allowed him to tighten up ahead of another title run.
He said, “It is good to get the rounds in to shed rust because you can’t beat six rounds in a real fight. I got some rounds under my belt, made a few mistakes that can be ironed out and it is better than sparring, really. You can judge the performance a lot better. I’ve had three six-rounders since my last title fight, my weight is good, my hands are fine, which is a big thing, and my life is getting into place – I’m in a much better place now than I was before the two Simpson fights.”
Mike Marsden trains and manages Truscott. Although disappointed that the mooted match against Sykes fell apart, Marsden believes that his charge could be next in line for a crack at Sykes.
“Paul was all set for a fight with Sykes but Carl went to the board to enforce his mandatory status and fair play to him for doing that, it was his right. Hopefully we’ll get the next shot,” revealed Marsden when asked about Paul’s title chances.
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