Newcastle super featherweight Dougie Curran looking forward to fighting in front of his own fans
Newcastle's Dougie Curran will be having his fourth title fight when he appears before his own folk at the 02 Academy in the city centre on Saturday afternoon.
However, it’s his first in front of his home-town fans and he’s determined that this time the belt will be strapped round his waist.
Curran, still only 24, is facing Pavel Senkovs, a Latvian fighting out of Mansfield, for the International Masters Bronze super featherweight title.
“Yeah, I’ve got the experience but I’ve always had to go away for my fights,” Curran told me. “This time it’s on my territory and I want to make it count. I’m long overdue a title.
“My manager Tommy Gilmour operates in Glasgow and 75% of my bouts have been in Scotland, 90% of them outside of Newcastle and most at short notice – 24 hours sometimes.
“I’m willing to fight anyone anywhere, but it’s lovely to be on my own patch. I’m grateful to promoter Steve Wraith for brining pro boxing back to Newcastle.
“Too often for my own good, I guess, I’ve boxed absolute quality at the shortest of notice. Now I want to know my opponent, to do my homework and study his record, and be prepared.
“I want this title and Senkovs will have to rip it from me.”
Curran, once a top-class schoolboy performer for England, has gone the full distance, 10 rounds, every time he has fought for a title – against Lee Glover for the International Masters, Andrejs Podusors for the British Masters, and Terry Flannigan for the English super featherweight crown.
If Curran is Wraith’s top attraction on his third pro bill in Newcastle then the undercard is also full of local interest.
Andy Buchanan is making his comeback after seven years out of the ring, knockout specialist Paul O’Hagan is chasing a hat-trick of pro wins, and Robert Craig Dixon is hoping to significantly enhance his credentials for a Northern Area title fight.
“I’ve had a couple of disappointments, with some opponents pulling out at the last minute,” said Buchanan. “It’s been very frustrating.
“I’m coming back to the ring because it’s in my blood. I feel I have unfinished business. I’m 33 now, but I’ve never been knocked about and I feel as fresh as it was at 21.”
Buchanan is fighting Dean Walker at super middle while cruiserweight O’Hagan, also trained by Micky Duncan, takes on Simione Cover.
O’Hagan has a huge record in white collar boxing – 28 fights, 24 victories, 17 stoppages. As a pro he won in 91 seconds on his debut in Newcastle, and within four rounds in Manchester.
Tickets for Saturday’s show – doors open 4pm, fights 5.15pm – are available on the door.
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