Practicing Patience – Returning Craig O’Brien wants to do right not rapid

Craig O’Brien [11(1)-2(1)] is adamant he wants to take the right steps rather than do the quickstep once he gets back on track with a win on Saturday.

The Irish light middleweight champion hasn’t graced a pro ring in over 15 months – and like a host of paid punchers has had to endure a frustrating period of inactivity.

The Dubliner returns alongside the majority of his Celtic Warrior stablemates in Belgium this weekend.

And while he is keen to get busy he is determined to avoid any ‘make up for lost time’ approach.

The 31-year-old, whose two career defeats came on Sky Sports Matchroom shows, wants to make measured moves to ensure success.

“I don’t feel pressure to move quickly,” O’Brien told Irish-boxing.com.

“I am 31 years old now and I know boxing won’t be around forever, so this time I want to do everything right. Everything right as in training super hard, picking the right fights and taking the right fights at the right time,” he adds before revealing he believes patience will reap rewards in the form of titles.

“I 100% believe if I do things right I can win big fights and titles over the next 12 to 24 months. There is an extra step in my training this time around and I am really looking forward to seeing what the next year or two has in store.”

After having a 15-month gap between his last two fights, the Paschal Collins-trained stylist is determined to ensure the distance between fights will greatly be reduced moving forward.

“I am hoping to be out soon after my fight on March the 20th and hopefully then fight back in Ireland or even Boston.”

‘The Iron’ believes that kind of packed schedule is vital to any potential success.

“The initial plan for 2020 was to try get a roll of fights. In 2019 I had 3 fights but there was six months gap between my second fight in July and then my fight in December. I just feel that doesn’t help me when going into big fights the more I stay busy the sharper I am I think.”

The focus now is just on Belgium and getting back to business.

“March the 20th will be my first fight in 15 months,” he stressed.

“I want to get the rounds in. In saying that I’m training super hard and looking to put in a nice performance. I plan to bring into the ring what I am working on now. “

“I really feel good to have a date and get back in the zone again plus there is a big buzz around the gym with everyone fighting so it’s good to get that feeling again.”