IF Scott Allan proves to be as talented inside the ring as he is loquacious outside it then there may be no stopping him. Boxing has never struggled to unearth individuals bursting with braggadocio and shining with self-confidence and in the 24 year-old from Shotts they have unearthed another who seems to be as busy with his tongue as he is with his fists. A Glasgow audience will witness the latest stage of this self-proclaimed journey to the top when Allan defends his Scottish bantamweight title against Kash Farooq at the Radisson Hotel on Thursday night, a St Andrew’s Sporting Club Burns Night bout that will also be broadcast live on STV Glasgow and Edinburgh.
These are early days still for the fighter known as the Title Taker. Farooq, an undefeated Glaswegian of Pakistani origin, will provide the opposition in just Allan’s ninth professional bout but already he has his sights set beyond merely retaining his Scottish title. By the end of the year he hopes to have a British or Commonwealth belt to his name, too.
“This is just the beginning for me,” he said. “I’m only 24 so I’ve got a lot of time on my side to achieve whatever I want. I’ve set out my ambitions and I’m not going to stop until I achieve them. People box for the money – I don’t need money to box. But fame motivates me. I want to become well-known, especially in my local area, then throughout Scotland before conquering the world.
“This fight is on the telly again and I like to have a chat after my fights. It’s the Scott Allan show and this is the next episode! I was made to be an actor but it just so happens I’ve chosen boxing. The ring is my stage. After this I want to fight for a British or Commonwealth title this year. That’s definitely realistic, either at bantamweight or super-flyweight if something comes up there. I’m open to all suggestions.”
Advancing towards his long-term goal of a world title fight at Motherwell’s Fir Park – he is a lifelong supporter – won’t be possible if Allan doesn’t keep on winning but, where possible, he wants to do it with a touch of razzamatazz too. His Prince Naseem Hamed-style somersault into the ring before every fight shows his commitment to that cause.
“It’s important to put on a show as we’re in the entertainment business,” he said. “Obviously I need to do my job and win first and foremost. Winning is everything. My talks after are usually better than my fights. I like to get a wee bit of banter and I also jump over the ropes before a fight. I’m looking forward to getting back into the ring and just having some fun.”
Allan and Farooq could have fought last year but the challenger, with a 3-0 professional record, didn’t feel he had sufficient time to prepare for the fight. Allan poured scorn on that notion.
“He had four and a half weeks to accept it and that’s plenty,” he added. “If you can’t get ready in that time then what are you even in the game for? To me he’s a kid-on contender. He’s not in my league as far as dedication is concerned. If I fight on Thursday and win and they then offer me a British title crack in two weeks I’d take it. I’d be there in a flash. You have to be always prepared for the next thing and I’m always ready.”
- Tickets for the event at the Radisson Blu in Glasgow are available from the St Andrew's Sporting Club at office@standrewssportingclub.com or by calling 0141 810 5700.
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