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Welsh lightweight prospect Mitch Buckland is on a mission to win as many titles as he can.
The Cardiff southpaw, 19, has watched his older brother Gary win numerous belts in the past few years, but now he’s started a collection of his own.
Last weekend Mitch defeated Bridgewater’s tough Dean Mills to win the vacant British Masters bronze crown and he believes it will be the first of many.
“Winning a title was like a dream come true. You always imagine winning a belt growing up and when that day comes you can’t believe it,” Mitch Buckland said.
“Before that fight I’d only boxed 14 rounds in total so it was great to jump straight up to eight rounds. The next step is ten rounds and then hopefully 12.
“I remember when Gary won his first title, it spurred him on more and he went on to win the Celtic and then the British title.
“Before my brother ever won any titles I used to look at British champions and think ‘god they’re so good, can I ever get to that level?’ Now, though, I’ve seen what it takes through watching Gary.
“I know that as long as you put the hours in at the gym and you keep learning, you can get there.
“Welsh boxing is going well at the minute. Nathan Cleverly is a world champion and, then there’s Gary and Gavin Rees and a few others winning things. It’d be lovely to have my name mentioned alongside those.”
A natural next step for Mitch would be a Welsh title clash with reigning champion Craig Woodruff. However, Mitch defeated the Newport man in a four-rounder last year and it seems Woodruff isn’t keen on a return.
“We’ve been trying to get a fight with Craig Woodruff, but he doesn’t seem to want it,” Mitch Buckland explained.
“Obviously I want to win the Welsh title, but it seems we might have to go for the Celtic title instead. There’s also the possibility of Woodruff himself fighting for the Celtic and me boxing someone else for the vacant Welsh belt.
“Either way I’m going in the right direction and getting closer to where I want to be as boxer.”
