Terry ‘Turbo’ Flanagan 31-0 (12KO) is the current WBO lightweight champion and first Englishman to win a world title as a Lightweight. But he’s arguably one of the most underestimated world champions in boxing at the moment.
So far in 2016 he’s fought twice this year. Both times recording unanimous decision wins. The first coming back in March over Liverpool native Derry Matthews – the second coming in July against Mzonke Fana in July.
His next fight opponent is still to be confirmed but there are strong suggestions it could be against one of the division’s very best in the ultra slick Jorge Linares.
The date for the fight is expected to be November 26th at the Motorpoint Arena in Cardiff, Wales. Speaking to BoxNation on Twitter Terry has said he is more than confident against Linares:
“I have the style to beat Linares” – @terryflanagan5 pic.twitter.com/NhKCqB61H5
— BoxNation (@boxnationtv) October 19, 2016
Other options of course are WBC champion Dejan Zlatičanin 22-0 (15KOs) and IBF Champion Robert Easter Jr 18-0 (14KOs).
If at any point Flanagan couldn’t get a fight with a current world champion there is also an additional option for a super fight for the British boxing public.
This would be of course in facing former WBA lightweight champion Anthony Crolla who also comes from Terry’s hometown of Manchester.
Crolla last the WBA belt this year to Jorge Linares.
But he could face Linares in a rematch and may win back the WBA title too however, which would make an all Manchester showdown with Flanagan in an even bigger fight if it were a world title unification.
If Crolla doesn’t come out of that match up with the title, Flanagan vs Crolla would still sell though and surely be one of the biggest British clashes to be made in 2017.
They share a history of attending the same school, coming from the same city and being world champions in the lightweight division.
So in many ways there is a ready made story line to promote a potential fight.
Manchester would be divided by this British super fight and fans would come out in their droves.
Just a brief recap for those readers outside the UK who might not be familiar with WBO lightweight champion Terry Flanagan.
Flanagan had his first professional fight in 2009, beating Danny McDermid and has since picked up other honours on the way. Terry then won the Prizefighter tournament defeating Gary Sykes in the final of the competition.
His second honour was when he won the vacant British lightweight title by beating Martin Gethin and on the 14th of February 2015, he became WBO European Lightweight champion when he came beat Dublin’s Stephen Ormond.
Five months later Flanagan fought Jose Zepeda for the vacant WBO lightweight title in his hometown of Manchester and won by stoppage.
‘Turbo’ Flanagan has since defended his championship three times. Impressing in every win. The first defence was in Manchester, October 10th, 2015 with a TKO victory over Diego Magdaleno.
Flanagan is hungry, ambitious and wants to unify the lightweight division.
The Mancunian says he is now looking to take part in big fights where possible as he looks to take on the best and prove he is the number one lightweight in the world.
There are many great fights that could be made in 2017 for Terry. Rumours are circulating four-time world champion Juan Diaz is an opponent for Flanagan in the near future too.
I think Terry ‘Turbo’ Flanagan is one of the most underrated fighters around, especially as a world champion boxer. He is known by the boxing fanatics but less known by the casual fans or fans of other sports.
2017 looks like it’s going to be a big year for Terry however.
Perhaps the biggest of his career and hopefully he can get the recognition and bigger following that he deserves.
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