British Champ Buckland Aims To Join Welsh Boxing Greats

Gary Buckland wants to secure a place in Welsh boxing history.

In recent years a number of boxers from the Principality have followed the examples of greats such as Jimmy Wilde, Percy Jones and Howard Winstone by having success at world level.

Buckland, 26, believes his appearance on the undercard of Martin Murray’s mammoth clash with Sergio Martinez will put him on the path towards joining that illustrious list.

The Cardiff puncher takes on highly rated Argentine Fernando David Saucedo for the vacant WBC silver super-featherweight crown and victory should move him closer to the world sanctioning body’s full title.

“I’ve seen Tony Bellew’s WBC silver belt on the TV and it looks something really special,” Buckland said. “A chance to win my own has given me more reason to train hard.

“If I beat Saucedo it will also put me in line for a world title shot either later this year or in early 2014.

“Joe Calzaghe, Nathan Cleverly and Gavin Rees have all won world titles for Wales in the last few years and I want to be remembered with those kinds of names.”

Despite his hopes of winning global honours, Buckland insists he has no intention of giving up his British title just yet.
The British Boxing Board of Control (BBBofC) has ordered him to defend against Grennock’s tough John Simpson in a clash which gives the Welshman an opportunity to win the historic Lonsdale belt outright.

“When I first started boxing the aim was to be British champion and it’d be a dream come true to get it for keeps,” Buckland stated.

“We’re looking to move on to bigger things now, but I don’t want to vacate the title when I’m so close to winning it outright. If a world title fight doesn’t come straight away, I’d also like to win the European title and make a couple of defences.”