Finally we see some hope for the future of Gary "The Rocket" Lockett. He has been installed as the number 2 in the latest WBO rankings so if Jermain Taylor defeats Kelly Pavlik and moves up to super middleweight as is anticipated then Lockett could find himself in a vacant title bout with Ireland's John Duddy, Germany's Sebastian Zbik who I have not heard of or even the number 6 Joe Gilbert from the first Contender series. I can't see Winky Wright, no 3 having much interest in this.
Zbik is good, very decent.... Joey Gilbert aint done much wrong since the Contender.. That would probably be the best match for Lockett. Probably start as an underdog vs the Lot though unfortunately.
hitman_hatton1 wrote:lockett has been quietly racking up wins for a few years now.
he still hasn't even boxed anyone even in decent euro class though.
Too quietly, he's hardly ever featured on UK TV since the move to ITV.
I would have liked to have seen him (if he was fit) in a tune up on the Morris vs Simpson 3 bill... The undercard for that bill, albeit an excellent jesture by Frank, was a bit lacking in names.
Lockett's career started with promise but has gone badly stagnant. No coincidence that during this period he has won the WBU belt. It's a shame because Lockett could be a promising addition to the Middleweight British title scene with the likes of Eastman, Elcock, Bendall, Dann (?) etc but instead he has been reduced to fighting tough, stereotypical foreigne imports who can survive but offer little in return. His fight with Rhodes was a good tester but too little, needs stiffer matching and meaningful fights. How the WBO have him so lofty is beyond me but still good luck to the fella.
For the last year or so i've been saying they should get Howard Eastman for him. Yes he might lose but a win against old lazy bones would definitely get him noticed. I'm sure you could sell it on ITV even if Sky have had it with Howard. Elcock now gets the chance with the very beatable Eastman.
Lockett doesn't seem like he has had the best promotion but then it wasn't Frank's fault he was injured before the Elcock fight. Should be enough for him though on the domestic scene whilst he waits for a vacant title shot, with all the other Welsh guys doing so well it's surprising he's not riding their coat tails
