He’s beaten John Ryder and Frank Buglioni and now the best British middleweight prospect you’ve never seen says he’s ready to make 2014 his year.
Away from the cameras, Alan Higgins has won all seven fights, aims to make it eight straight wins in Bethnal Green next month and says his motivations include amateur wins over Ryder and Buglioni.
“Those results drive me on,” said the 25 year-old from Kentish Town.
“John lost a close fight for the British title (to Billy-Joe Saunders) and Frank is going really well.
“It shows I can mix it with people like that and if I stick at it, I will get there as well.”
According to Higgins, he is getting there.
“When I watch videos of my fights from a year ago, I can see I’m a completely different fighter now,” he said in the build up to his next fight on Friday, April 25.
“My footwork is better, I’m sitting down on my punches more and I don’t get flustered when my opponents throw punches back.
“I feel more comfortable and composed in there – and they are massive factors. You need to be composed.”
Higgins says he owes his improvement to sparring James DeGale, Darren Barker and unbeaten Danish middleweight Patrick Nielsen.
“Not a bad list is it ?” said Higgins, who is managed by James Paisley and trained by CJ Hussein.
“The sparring in the last year has been tough, but that’s where I’m learning.”
Boosted by the experiences, Higgins says he wouldn’t decline a crack at Southern Area champion Elliott Matthews, but is looking beyond him to the English title.
Danny Butler defends the St George’s belt against Martin Concepcion on Saturday, April 5 and beating either would hand Higgins the exposure he’s previously been denied.
“To be honest, not getting the limelight doesn’t bother me,” he said.
“Anyway, I will end up getting the limelight if I keep winning. Eventually, I will get my chance to show what I can do.”
In the top-of-the-bill fight at the York Hall, Ahmet Patterson defends his Southern Area welterweight title against Adam Battle and tickets are available from 07572-421365, 07770-440966 and 07983-439333.
