Northern Sporting Club super-bantamweight star Billy Stuart is targeting Scottish title glory and a British ranking boost.
Stuart will face Gary Ducie for the Scottish belt at the Beach Ballroom, Aberdeen on Saturday, November 26.
The 24-year-old, who trains at the Granite City ABC gym in Aberdeen, believes he is “better in all departments” than Ducie.
Stuart, who has won 12 of his 13 fights, hopes a Scottish title win can elevate him into contention for a British title eliminator.
Standing in his way is Ducie who has a pro record of four wins from four bouts.
Stuart said: “I’m not looking past the fight with Ducie but if I win the Scottish title it takes me up the rankings and into eliminator contention.
“So I can get a shot at an eliminator for something like a British title.
“I had seven national titles as an amateur so it would be good to win a Scottish title as a professional.
“I have seen a wee bit of him (Ducie).
“Personally, I don’t think he is on my level because he has never really proven himself against anyone.
“I suppose this is his chance to prove himself and he will be looking to beat me.
“However I think I am far better in every department.
“He seems confident which is good.
“It means he will come to try to fight which will bring out the best in me.”
On a high after two stoppage wins
Macduff fighter Stuart secured the vacant BUI super-bantamweight title in only his eighth professional fight.
He suffered his first pro setback when losing an IBF Youth world title fight in July last year.
Stuart lost by majority decision to Alejandro Jair Gonzalez of Mexico in Hamilton after an enthralling 10 round battle.
It was the first, and only, defeat since joining the paid ranks in 2017.
Stuart has bounced back with two wins in two fights, both stoppages, since that loss to Gonzalez.
At the Beach Ballroom last November he comprehensively defeated Alexandru Ionita.
The Romanian had no answer for Stuart’s power and quick combinations and did not come out of his corner after the fifth round of a scheduled eight.
In July this year Stuart registered a stoppage defeat of Viktor Vezhlivtsev in Newcastle.
It was the first stoppage in the Russian’s 19 fight career.
Stuart said: “It was good to secure a stoppage of someone who has never been stopped before.
“He had been in with a few good fighters and looked tough and durable.
“However I made it look easy.
“I managed to stop him so it opens my eyes to how good I actually am.
“I found that fight really easy because I was relaxed and didn’t really get hit.
“The less damage you take the better because you will have a longer career.”
Stuart targeting multiple title glory
Stuart will fight on the undercard of Dean Sutherland’s super-welterweight Commonwealth title fight with Louis Greene at the Beach Ballroom.
Super bantamweight Stuart is signed to Fightzone, the boxing promotion company formed by Dennis Hobson.
Renowned Sheffield-based promoter Dennis Hobson oversaw the careers of former world champions Ricky Hatton, David Haye and Clinton Woods.
Stuart said: “Fightzone are looking to push me on.
“It will be great to fight at the Beach Ballroom in front of a home support.
“However I know I can go down to England, wherever and box exactly the same.
“I don’t feel any pressure from the scenario of boxing away.
“I’m still only 24 which is not the oldest and a Scottish title is something I want.
“I want it to be the start of more titles.”
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