Barry Morrison believes he has been overlooked by champion Paul McCloskey ahead of their fight on October 2.
Scot no forlorn hope in European title shot
Barry Morrison believes he has been overlooked by champion Paul McCloskey ahead of their fight on October 2.
The Scot will go into the clash as a big underdog against the unbeaten European light-welterweight champion, but fancies his chances of causing an upset.
"I feel the pressure is on him," Morrison said. "He sees me as a stepping stone to a world title fight and he is in front of his own fans.
"When I was at the press conference over in Ireland, he kept being questioned about when he was going to get his world title fight.
"I was just sitting there, they overlooked me. It's not a good thing for him to overlook me but I hope he will."
Morrison, currently studying at college for an HND in Health, Fitness and Exercise, will travel to Ireland full of inspiration following the performance of fellow Scot Ricky Burns, who won the WBO super-featherweight title by beating Roman Martinez at Glasgow's Kelvin Hall on September 4.
Inspiration
"I sparred with Ricky Burns at the start of my camp and at the end of his camp and I know that I am not far behind," said the 30-year-old.
"He is an inspiration and it couldn't have happened to a nicer guy. I've always worked hard but I've had a lot of bad luck in the last few years with illnesses and I just want to crack on.
"I don't feel I have fulfilled my potential. I see it as a last chance and I suppose if you see it as the last chance you put the extra work in."
However, Morrison's last three defeats all came when he stepped up to challenge for the British title and manager Tommy Gilmour admits he is boxing in last chance saloon.
"It is probably the last throw of the dice for Barry as far as this level is concerned," he said. "It is up to him to produce the goods.
"McCloskey can sometimes be a lazy fighter and if that's the Paul McCloskey that turns up, and we get the Barry Morrison who destroyed Billy Smith in his last fight, we will certainly come home with the title.
"But the dice has to fall for us on the night."
