Anthony Fowler says he is willing to rematch Scott Fitzgerald this year, but insists he will move towards the British title should that not materialise.
Fowler (13-1, 10 KOs) returns to action on the undercard of stablemate Lawerence Okolie’s WBO Cruiserweight world title clash with Krzysztof Glowacki, when he faces Jorge Fortea at the SSE Arena on Saturday, live on Sky Sports and DAZN.
The ‘Machine’ lost on a split decision to Fitzgerald in March 2019 and an eagerly-anticipated rematch is reportedly targeted for the summer providing he overcomes Fortea and Fitzgerald wins his next fight, which is set to take place in April or May.
The 30-year-old admits he is open to meeting his rival again, should it happen in the summer, but will otherwise look at securing a shot against the winner of next Saturday’s British Super Welterweight title clash between Ted Cheeseman and James Metcalf or against European champion, Sergio Garcia.
“I’d like to box the winner of Cheeseman-Metcalf for the British title,” Fowler said on a media Zoom conference call on Tuesday.
“Obviously [promoter] Eddie [Hearn] wants me to box Fitzgerald which I’m happy to do, because it’s a massive fight and a chance to get revenge, but also Sergio Garcia, I think I can beat him I think I’ve got the beating of him.
“He’s really high ranked and he’s European champion, so it’s a really hard fight, but if I beat Sergio Garcia I’m not far from a world title shot then.
“I’ve been told we’re meant to fight July, August.
“I’m not really sure if I’m meant to say or not, but I don’t really care, because I’m bored of talking about it now.
“I just want to either fight him [Fitzgerald] or just crack on with my career. I’m willing to box him, because even though he doesn’t have a belt anymore that defeat is on my record.
“I want to wipe the slate clear and prove that I’m the better man.”
Fowler has won four on the bounce since that sole reverse to Fitzgerald, stopping Adam Harper in seven rounds in his last outing in Fight Camp in August and his second win under trainer Shane McGuigan’s guidance.
The Liverpudlian has top 15 rankings with both the WBA and WBO and the 2016 Olympian is expecting a difficult task against Fortea, who holds a #15 ranking with the IBF.
“I knew that people would be surprised at how I boxed [against Harper], how much more loose I was, my variety of shots,” Fowler added.
“I knew people would see a change, because I do feel much different, much better but that fight was all in my favour.
“Harper wasn’t really a puncher, his style suited me a lot, whereas this Fortea he’s a lot more tricky.
“He’s a lot more elusive, he’s a lot more experienced and he’s also very tough, so this fight will tell me a lot more about where I’m at in the division and how far I can go.”
Watch the full interview with Anthony Fowler below:
