Terry Flanagan Expects To Eventually Rise To Welterweight

[Ruthless-RKO]

In his latest exclusive Fighter Diary, Terry looks ahead to his big night and reacts to the potential challenge of a domestic rival…

The prospect of fighting for a second world title definitely gave me a buzz when I began preparations to take on Maurice Hooker on April 14 and I can’t wait for it.

When I heard there was the chance of fighting for the WBO world super lightweight title I jumped at the chance and, with it being against Hooker – who I am confident of beating – it excited me.

By the time I get in the ring it will have been a year since I last fought so it will be great to get back in the thick of it.

Hooker’s size will bring something different but I have never really struggled with taller fighters – I’ve just done my own boxing and it has always worked. I am hoping this will be the case again.

People tell me I have the chance of making a bit of history at the 02 Arena in becoming the first Englishman to win a world title at lightweight and super lightweight.

I don’t really look at it like that. I just look at one fight at a time, if I win this then great because I am not one to particularly look at my career and think I have done this or done that.

I will probably look back when I retire and think I achieved something. People do say to me that I don’t know what I have done, but it is nowt to me and one of those things at this point in time.

Hopefully when I retire I will have stuff to show my kids and grandkids.

Beating Hooker will not necessarily be the end of my weight gain as I am plenty big enough and plenty tall enough to box at welterweight.

I walk about big and I don’t see a problem as long as I take my speed and skills up with me.

I am looking forward to sampling what it is all about at the 02 as I have never been there before and I am excited to fight somewhere new.

If I do my bit then, from the talk going around, it appears Jack Catterall is keen to try and take the title off me.

There seems to be a lot of noise being made about some sparring sessions a couple of years ago and I don’t know what he is going on about.

I thought I won those spars and if he thinks he did then he is deluded.

I’m not too bothered about it though, if that is what he thinks, let him think that because he will be in for a shock if the fight ever does happen.

That fight is a mile away at the moment because I’ve got to come through Hooker first and then I will be looking towards unification fights.

They are running before they can walk and, going off his last performance, it doesn’t exactly fill me with fear!

[Stuarty]

Hope to see more from him at 140. He's been pretty uninspiring at 135 since he beat Magdaleno!

[Ruthless-RKO]

Hope to see more from him at 140. He's been pretty uninspiring at 135 since he beat Magdaleno!

Same. Not many decent fighters at 140 either. But he could dominate. He needs unification. He can't just sit on the WBO title. He'll be the next Joe Calzaghe. Flans got potential. His resume stinks.

[Stuarty]

Hope to see more from him at 140. He's been pretty uninspiring at 135 since he beat Magdaleno!

Same. Not many decent fighters at 140 either. But he could dominate. He needs unification. He can't just sit on the WBO title. He'll be the next Joe Calzaghe. Flans got potential. His resume stinks.

140 is pretty decent domestically. At world level you've still got Postol in the mix. Think he fights Prorais doesn't he? Obviously Mikey Garcia looks to be the top dog at the moment but still not sure what weight he's gonna be operating at? Josh Taylor should be on the world scene by the end of the year as well. With Crawford moving up the division is pretty much wide open.

[Taansend]

Hope to see more from him at 140. He's been pretty uninspiring at 135 since he beat Magdaleno!

Same. Not many decent fighters at 140 either. But he could dominate. He needs unification. He can't just sit on the WBO title. He'll be the next Joe Calzaghe. Flans got potential. His resume stinks.

140 is pretty decent domestically. At world level you've still got Postol in the mix. Think he fights Prorais doesn't he? Obviously Mikey Garcia looks to be the top dog at the moment but still not sure what weight he's gonna be operating at? Josh Taylor should be on the world scene by the end of the year as well. With Crawford moving up the division is pretty much wide open.

Hopefully my man Prograis stops Postol.

Yves Ulysse is a proper talent at the weight too

[Stuarty]

Same. Not many decent fighters at 140 either. But he could dominate. He needs unification. He can't just sit on the WBO title. He'll be the next Joe Calzaghe. Flans got potential. His resume stinks.

140 is pretty decent domestically. At world level you've still got Postol in the mix. Think he fights Prorais doesn't he? Obviously Mikey Garcia looks to be the top dog at the moment but still not sure what weight he's gonna be operating at? Josh Taylor should be on the world scene by the end of the year as well. With Crawford moving up the division is pretty much wide open.

Hopefully my man Prograis stops Postol.

Yves Ulysse is a proper talent at the weight too

Is that the fella that schooled Seldin last time out?

[Ruthless-RKO]

Is that the fella that schooled Seldin last time out?

yh

[Stuarty]

Is that the fella that schooled Seldin last time out?

yh

Yeah he was tidy but i always thought Seldin was overrated.

[PredatorHayds]

I have no idea how Terry made Lightweight for so long. Huge at the weight.

Division wide open. Flanagan’s year looks like Hooker then Catterall. Not exactly HOF material.

[steve689]

Hopefully my man Prograis stops Postol.

Yves Ulysse is a proper talent at the weight too

Not sure about stop Postol but he'll certainly beat him. Prograis is a serious talent.

[jamamb]

prograis is fighting indongo now , postol out with injury

[Taansend]

Hopefully my man Prograis stops Postol.

Yves Ulysse is a proper talent at the weight too

Not sure about stop Postol but he'll certainly beat him. Prograis is a serious talent.

Postol almost got stopped last time out. I'm hoping Regis can do it.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Hopefully my man Prograis stops Postol.

Yves Ulysse is a proper talent at the weight too

Not sure about stop Postol but he'll certainly beat him. Prograis is a serious talent.

Postol almost got stopped last time out. I'm hoping Regis can do it.

Prograis is fighting Indongo now

[CaptainSpacerod]

Is he honestly any better than British level ?

[Taansend]

Not sure about stop Postol but he'll certainly beat him. Prograis is a serious talent.

Postol almost got stopped last time out. I'm hoping Regis can do it.

Prograis is fighting Indongo now

That could be dangerous

[steve689]

Prograis will smash Indongo to bits. I seriously rate this kid.

[Stuarty]

Prograis will smash Indongo to bits. I seriously rate this kid.

More than Taylor?

[steve689]

Prograis will smash Indongo to bits. I seriously rate this kid.

More than Taylor?

Josh Taylor...Hmm not sure, but can I just like both of them?

[Stuarty]

Prograis will smash Indongo to bits. I seriously rate this kid.

More than Taylor?

Josh Taylor...Hmm not sure, but can I just like both of them?

Course you can Steve BTW I love your show and its deffo better with you hosting! Liked Andy hosting but he's better suited where he is!

On another point! How long could Taylor stay heavy! He looks tiny man!