REUBEN ARROWSMITH believes he’s receiving the perfect education as a professional.
Despite only turning over last October, the Market Harborough stylist has established himself as one of the star pupils in Ricky Hatton’s Hyde stable.
And he’ll be hoping to improve his ring craft further this weekend in Cannock as he faces his first southpaw – Viktors Drizlionoks.
“I don’t know much about him and I can’t even say his name properly, but I know he’s a southpaw and he’s got two arms, two legs and a head to aim at so bring it on,” Arrowsmith, 5-0, said.
“I’ve boxed different styles since turning pro and it’s all about getting good learning fights and building experience. This is my first southpaw as a pro and I’m more than ready for him. It’s exactly the sort of opponent I need.
“He comes from Lithuania, but he’s based over here and he’s building a career for himself. He won’t be an easy opponent because he’s pushed some really good kids close and he’s beaten a couple of others.”
The fights are coming thick and fast for Arrowsmith as this will be his sixth outing in less than ten months. However, he insists that he’s in rush to push towards title opportunities.
“I’ve had five fights since I turned pro last October and I’ve already got fights lined up after this one so it looks like I’m going to have eight or nine in my first year,” he said.
“I hope I get as many next year as well as it means I keep learning and improving and pushing on to potentially big things down the line.
“I’m only young at 20 so I could probably have an extra year of learning fights, but Ricky has been talking about how I’ve progressed really quickly and I could be looking at an area or English title at 21 but I’m not getting ahead of myself. There’s no rush and I can’t look beyond this next fight.”
Sunday’s bill is entitled ‘Danger Zone’ and is headlined by the eagerly anticipated English super-lightweight title clash between Anthony Upton and Luke Paddock.
In addition to Arrowsmith v Drizlionoks, the show’s undercard also features Sonny Upton, Sam Evans, English super-bantamweight champion Sean Davis, Swadlincote super-middleweight Zach Parker, Burton’s Leon Gower, Derby debutant Sahib Singh Mann, and former world kickboxing champion Chad Sugden.
The show takes place at Chase Leisure Centre, Stafford Road, Cannock, Staffordshire, WS11 4AL. Doors open at 12.30pm.
Tickets, priced at £30 and £60 Ringside, are available by calling 01543 504 065.
