LUKE Jackson’s persistence and determination to secure an Australian title fight have paid off, with the Tasmanian securing a March 14th date with Australian featherweight champion Will Young.
Jackson, 30, will fight in his fourth state as a professional, travelling interstate to the hostile territory of Toowoomba, where Will Young, 30, will face the former Olympic captain in his first title fight in the paid ranks.
“I feel great, my team has worked hard to get me this fight and I would like to thank Will Young and his team for the opportunity,” said Jackson in an exclusive interview with Aus-Boxing. “This year I had no Christmas, New Year or thirtieth birthday celebrations because I knew this fight would take place soon,”
In Young (4-3, 2 KOs), Jackson is facing an enthusiastic albeit limited champion, who previously lost to fighters of a lower calibre to that of the unbeaten prospect. However, Jackson (7-0, 3 KOs) isn’t taking anything for granted in the lead up to the biggest fight of his career.
“I’ve dedicated my life to the sport of boxing, anyone that knows me knows that whatever I do I do it one hundred percent,” Jackson elaborated.
“I’m a perfectionist and I work extremely hard everyday, I never have a break from training. The months away from home to be in Sydney is the hard, but it has to be done for me to be at my best.”
Despite his modest looking record, Young will go into the Jackson fight in the midst of a purple patch, having won two consecutive fights with wins over Emmanuel Micallef and a recent first round knockout over Reginaldo Martins Carvalho.
“I know he is the Australian champion and I must respect that, he comes to fight and he will be hard to beat in his hometown,” Jackson continued. “I’m a better fighter in every area – and if I’m at my best – I will win,”
The notion of travelling interstate or even internationally is something that Jackson has become quite familiar with, having fought a majority of his high-level amateur contests abroad and more often than not, coming home victorious.
“Look, I’ve traveled to over forty countries fighting as a amateur boxer, I’ve boxed Cubans in Cuba, Russians in Russia, Asians in Asia and I’ve come away with the win,” said Jackson in closing.
“Yes, it will be hard to beat him in his hometown but once the bell rings – it’ll be just me and Will – and I believe my amateur experience will play a big part in this fight and me traveling to his hometown.”
“We asked for the fight on neutral ground but they wouldn’t accept, we asked for ticket sales they wouldn’t accept, so I’m just happy the fight is being made and I have my chance to win the title come March 14th.”
Photo: Visual Delight © Damian Brierty
