BRETT McGinty wants a high five by the end of 2021.
By Chris McNulty in Birmingham
The St Johnston middleweight, unbeaten in his first two fights as a professional boxer, goes into the ring for the third time as a pro on Friday night at the Coventry Skydome.
McGinty wants to put on a show on Mick Hennessy’s Channel 5-shown card for a third successive win.
Originally due to face Lukas Ulys, McGinty has had a late change of opponent. The former Oakleaf amateur standout will now face Teodor Nikolov. The 26-year-old Bulgarian holds a 5-40-4, (1KO) and is also 11-2 (3KOs) in mixed martial arts.
Already, McGinty, who made his debut just before Christmas last year, has possible fight dates in November and December.
“All going to plan, I want to be 5-0 by Christmas and hopefully set up a big push for next year,” McGinty told Donegal Daily/Donegal Sport Hub.
“The camp has been very good. It couldn’t have gone any better. I’m in very good shape and I’m in a good position to get a performance.”
The Ricky Hatton-trained McGinty touched the scales at 11st 3lb 4oz with Nixolov weighing in at 11st 5lb ahead of the four-round middleweight contest.
McGinty was given a debut test against Jan Ardon, which he passed, before he enjoyed a rather more routine win over Dwain Grant in May.
McGinty has opted to put the focus on himself for now – which is just as well give the change of the man who’ll be in the blue corner.
“I’ve learned not to think about the opponent too much until he’s standing across from me on the scales,” he said.
“The last couple of times, my opponent changed two or three times. It’s more about me now – making sure that I’m ready. Whoever’s is standing in front of me when I get in the ring, I’ll be ready.
“I don’t know much about the opponent – and I don’t want to. I just want to be ready myself. I will be ready.
“If he’s a world champion or a journeyman, I can’t be complacent. In the blink of an eye in this sport, you can be flat on your back. I’ll respect the opponent, whoever he is, but when I get in there, the aim is the same.”
McGinty’s fellow Irish boxers and Sheer Sports Management stablemates Aaron McKenna and Stevie McKenna are on the same card.
Stevie McKenna (8-0, 8KOs) faces Moussa Gary (11-3-2, 1KO) while his brother Aaron – a late addition to the card – takes on Ivica Gogosevic (12-36-2, 5KOs).
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