“His fans can’t fight for him” – Carroll not worried about fighting in Gorman’s hometown

Saturday is the start of something big claims Stephen Carroll [4(0)-0].

The Dublin light welterweight travels to Belfast and fights the experienced Jamesy Gorman [8(3)-29(3)-1] for the Celtic Nations title this weekend and believes his first title fight is his first major step toward bigger and better success.

“A win for me on Saturday will be great, but it’s just the start of something bigger and better,” a confident and focused Carroll told Irish-Boxing.com.

‘Shortty’ isn’t long into his pro career, but moves up to eight rounds and challenges for a belt in just his fifth fight.

Despite 17 straight defeats since making his comeback at the start of the year, Gorman certainly represents the Ballyfermot boxer’s toughest test to date. There is certainly a feeling that the 37 year old wont be in ‘journeyman mode’ for what will be his first fight in Belfast since 2007, and Carroll knows he will have to produce if he is to buckle the strap around his waist.

However, the 24 year old is confident he will have to much for the home fighter and the well supported ticket seller isn’t worried about having to go into ‘The Chin’s’ back yard.

“He’s a tough lad. He has been around for a long time and fought for titles before so he has experience too, but I am confident. I’ll box and fight him when I have to. I will do what it takes it win. It’s also great to be in an all-Irish clash,” he added before stressing he is not worried about fighting over eight or in Belfast.

“I just can’t wait to fight for the title, the added rounds isn’t a problem, I only get going after a few anyway. Belfast won’t make a difference, his fans can’t fight for him.”

Carroll v Gorman might not be as high profile as Tyrone McKenna v Sean Creagh, but it is the second all-Irish light welterweight title fight in less than a month.

Throw Phillip Sutcliffe, Anto Upton, Matt Wilton, and Jake Hanney into the mix – added to the fact that most are expressing a desire to fight for the Irish title – and you have a very exciting division.

Carroll was previously involved in a mini war of words with Creagh and the pair looked destined to clash, but talk regarding an all-Dublin clash has died and ‘Shortty’ claims he leaves the decisions over who he fights down to his manager and coach Tony Davitt.

“The division is very tough but all the decisions are down to Tony. He wants the best for me and cares about my career so I listen to him. He knows what fight is best to make sure I am successful not just now, but in the later stages of my boxing career.”