One last “rattle” for returning Luke Wilton

Luke Wilton [17(7)-5(1)-1] admits retirement has crossed his mind but he is back ready to give it ‘one more rattle’ and determined to show people he still has a lot to offer.

The Belfast flyweight was visibly distraught after he came out second best to Charlie Edwards in a massive breakthrough chance on the Carl Frampton v Scott Quigg card in Manchester in February of 2016.

However, it looked like he was ready to rebuild when, after 13 months out, he claimed a comeback win on a small hall card at the Shorts Sports and Social club last year,but a keep busy period didn’t follow and ‘Winky’ hasn’t been very quiet since.

Some assumed the gloves had been hung up and the former British and Commonwealth title challenger admits the thought did cross his mind but an exhibition in Scotland earlier this year gave him a taste for things again.

Now he is back topping a Team Alio and Boxing Ireland’s ‘Back in Belfast’ card at the Shorts and claims he is ready to prove he is still a contender at the weight.

“A few fights fell through,” he says explaining to Irish-Boxing.com the reasons behind his 18 month absence.

“I did think about wrapping it up at that time but I had a exhibition in January on a show in Scotland which gave me the bug again. I thought why not give it a good rattle?”

‘A good rattle’ might be underselling it a bit from the flyweight who is back training with Bernardo Checa and has British title aspirations at the very least.

“I just want to show that I have got a lot left to give this game. I feel I have a British title in me so that’s my goal for the short term.”

The timing of the fight for the older of two boxing brothers is perfect for Wilton. The November 17th date proceeds a trip to Las Vegas and his belated 30th birthday celebrations.

“I’m happy to get a date on the 17th November as I have a trip to Vegas the week after! My wife booked for my 30th,” he added before stressing he hopes to be active from here on out. 

Wilton is set for a testing comeback too versus Hungarian bantam Georgi Georgiev who earlier this year, pushed Dylan McDonagh all the way, knocked out Prince Brady, and is in the midst of a three-fight winning streak.

The Belfast little man though is keen to get straight back into thing and staying active ahead of one final push.

Wilton outlined how “I hope to have this fight then maybe again in January or February, but, with it coming up to Christmas, I might have to wait until February to fight again.”