OPPORTUNITY knocks for a third time for Martin Harkin. After two gritty but ultimately unsuccessful outings last year against rising stars Michael McKinson and Kaisee Benjamin, the Dumbarton welterweight steps into the ring tonight with a chance to become European champion.
Standing between him and the vacant WBO belt – in what is also now a British title eliminator – is Liam Taylor. The Englishman’s 24-2-1 record makes him favourite to come out on top in Bolton but this is his first fight of the year, and that ring rustiness is something that Harkin believes ought to go in his favour.
The Scot is aware that time is marching on, however. Now 30 years old, the St Andrew’s Sporting Club fighter with the 15-2 record knows that opportunities like this don’t come around too often and he is eager to not let it pass him by.
“When I got offered this fight I was ecstatic, to be honest,” said Harkin. “It’s a cracking opportunity – it could change my life by winning this.
“I fell short in my last couple of big fights last year and often if you have one or two losses in this game you’re finished.
“But I still feel that I’m good enough to win a major belt of my own. I’ve changed some of my circumstances since last year and I don’t feel like I’m shot through by any means. I feel that I’ve still got more to give.
“If I can win this it would mean the world to me. And you’re always only one win away from being talked about again and having your name in the frame for even bigger fights.
“Taylor’s going to be a tough opponent but he’s not boxed for 10 months and I think that will go in my favour. I’m a big believer in ring rust and time out the ring. It really does affect fighters. If I can beat him and have his name on my record that would be unbelievable.”
There was no shame in losing to McKinson, who has since gone on to fight at world level, nor Benjamin who is set to challenge Dalton Smith for the British super-lightweight title next month. As with those two contests, Harkin has travelled south of the border to fight out of the away corner but he has no problem giving up home advantage.
“They were both good fighters who’ve gone on to fight for championships so there was no shame in losing to them,” he said.
“I’ve had to come back down to England for this one but that’s fine by me. To be honest it’s rare to get these kinds of opportunities up in Scotland. There’s not really the big promoters or platforms at home to get too many of these nights. You really have to make your name on the road if you want to reach the top and I’m happy to do that.”
Harkin won’t have to look too far for advice on the night. At ringside will be Gary Jacobs, a Scottish boxing all-time great who is now his trainer, and Kash Farooq, the recently-retired former British champion who is also part of the team.
“It’s been great working with Gary,” added Harkin ahead of a show that isn’t televised but will be streamed live on YouTube channel, BBTV. “I parted ways with my former trainer Danny Lee a couple of fights ago and I’m learning a lot from Gary. He’s boxed at elite level so for him to pass on that knowledge to me has been ideal.
“I’m 30 now so if I’m going to do anything in boxing it has to be now and working with Gary I hope can help take me to that level.
“I’ve got Kash in my corner, too. After he retired I approached him and asked him to come on board and be part of my team. I’ve known him since we were wee boys and he was one of my favourite fighters. Just having his presence in my corner is going to give me an extra boost of confidence. He’s experienced the big fights and the big nights. So having these two former championship fighters as part of my team can only help me.”
