Scott Cardle vows to make a statement on Burns night
Friday 7 October 2016 21:17, UK
Scott Cardle has promised to be at his very best against Kevin Hooper when he features on the undercard of Ricky Burns' world title defence at the SSE Hydro in Glasgow on Friday night, live on Sky Sports.
Cardle (20-0-1-KO6) believes fighting in front of his Scottish supporters will spur him on to greater heights when he puts his British lightweight title on the line for a third time.
The 27-year-old beat Craig Evans on points to win the vacant title in May last year and defended it twice against Sean Dodd in Liverpool.
Hooper (19-3-K04) has branded Cardle's reign as "average" and the champion admits that his performances against Dodd at the Echo Arena were below par.
Cardle was trailing the Birkenhead boxer in their first fight in November when he secured a controversial final round stoppage and then clung on to the title with a majority draw decision in the rematch five months later.
However, the Celtic fan hopes an impressive win over Hooper will enable him to step up from domestic defences.
"I'm determined to go out there and make a statement," said Cardle.
"I'm well overdue a big performance and I feel that this is the right stage and the right time to do so. You haven't seen the best of me yet but on a big stage with the Scottish fans supporting me - I believe I will reach a new level.
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"I've read his comments that I've been average, which in fairness I can't disagree with as I feel I've been below average in both Dodd fights.
"I always feel pressure when I fight. I never take anyone lightly, I didn't against Sean Dodd believe it or not. Pressure is a privilege for me and I perform better under it. I've got to perform, no ifs, buts or maybes. I've got to do more than just win, it is the manner in which I do so, to get me to make people remember me and take notice.
"My mind is well and truly on the task this time - if I'm to progress on to the next level I need to demonstrate to everybody that I am a level above the domestic guys, which I truly believe I am.
"I've said in the past that I've got aspirations to box at a higher level, go further to European level and who knows maybe beyond that. I'm not naive enough to look past Hooper and he has my undivided attention. But I feel this fight can be a stepping stone to some truly great things for me."
Cardle's clash with Hooper is part of a huge night of action in Glasgow where three-weight world champion Burns defends his WBA world super-lightweight title against mandatory challenger Kiryl Relikh.
Brixton heavyweight rivals Dillian Whyte and Ian Lewison clash for the vacant British title while Joe Ham, Lewis Paulin, Stewart Burt, Scott McCormack and Ross Murray are also in action.
Watch Burns v Relikh - plus Dillian Whyte v Ian Lewison for the British heavyweight title - live on Sky Sports 2 on October 7 from 8pm
