Scottish Amateur And Professional Boxing |
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Edinburgh's unbeaten Gary Young faces the reigning Russian Light Welterweight champion, Viktor Baranov, on the Arthur v Docherty undercard on Friday night and sees it as another step towards the big time.
"Scott and Alex are the main men in Scotland at the moment and I'm looking to join them," said the 21 year old Welterweight. "Both of them are involved in big title fights. Scott is facing Michael Brodie in June and Alex has a tough fight against Docherty this Friday and it won't be long until I'm in their position and involved in some big title fights that will really push me into the limelight.
"But all that will go out of the window if I slip up against Baranov."
Since turning professional three years ago, Gary Young has blasted his way three a selection of novices and journeymen, and although Baranov fits nicely into the latter of the two, it will be his biggest challenge to date.
The 37 year old Muscovite certainly doesn't lack experience and his 57 fight career have seen him in with the likes of Oktay Urkal back in 1998 in a WBC International Light Welterweight title fight as well as British names like Steve Murray, Jason Cook and Bobby Vanzie.
But in the same time period that Young has chalked up 12 wins, seven of which by way of knockout, Baranov has won just four of a dozen fights, with those wins coming against fellow Russians.
Nonetheless, Young isn't taking his latest opponent lightly.
"It's a very tough fight for me and as this is the most important year for me I will be looking to do an efficient job on Baranov to make a real statement."
Tickets for Arthur v Docherty priced at £75, £50 and £30 are available from the Meadowbank Sports Centre (0131 661 5351) and Morrison's Gym (0141 554 7777).