VIDEO - Isaac Lowe: Commonwealth title fight is a dream come true

Isaac Lowe says it will be a dream come true when he walks out at a packed Manchester Arena on Saturday night.
Isaac Lowe on the offensive during his draw with Ryan Doyle. Picture: Lawrence LustigIsaac Lowe on the offensive during his draw with Ryan Doyle. Picture: Lawrence Lustig
Isaac Lowe on the offensive during his draw with Ryan Doyle. Picture: Lawrence Lustig

The Westgate Warrior hopes to take his place in Morecambe sporting history when he faces Marco McCullough for the vacant Commonwealth Featherweight title on the undercard of Scott Quigg and Carl Frampton’s world title unification fight.

Still just 22, the resort’s unbeaten English champion remembers being in the crowd when Manchester great Ricky Hatton was at the height of his powers and admits the stage he is fighting on this weekend hasn’t dawned on him.

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Lowe said: “It hasn’t really sunk in that I’m fighting for a Commonwealth title.

Isaac Lowe on the offensive during his draw with Ryan Doyle. Picture: Lawrence LustigIsaac Lowe on the offensive during his draw with Ryan Doyle. Picture: Lawrence Lustig
Isaac Lowe on the offensive during his draw with Ryan Doyle. Picture: Lawrence Lustig

“I’ve not really thought about it that much because I don’t want to over think it.

“Never in my wildest dreams did I think I’d be fighting for a Commonwealth title at the MEN Arena where I’ve seen so many great fights.

“Ricky Hatton is my hero and he used to top those bills. Now I’m the chief support and I’m going to be walking out in front of 22,000 people.

“My dreams are coming true in this fight.

A young Isaac Lowe with Ricky Hatton during the Manchester great's visit to Lancaster back in 2009.A young Isaac Lowe with Ricky Hatton during the Manchester great's visit to Lancaster back in 2009.
A young Isaac Lowe with Ricky Hatton during the Manchester great's visit to Lancaster back in 2009.
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“As a kid I always wanted to be a world champion, that’s what I’ve been brought up to do, that’s what I’ve always aimed at and this is a stepping stone.

“For someone born in this town to be a Commonwealth champion would be amazing.”

Victory in front of a packed arena and Sky Sports Box Office audience would catapult Lowe’s promising career to new levels.

In McCullough though he faces a hot prospect, Belfast’s Irish champion being a stablemate or Carl Frampton and having on paper fought at a higher level.

Marco McCullough will provide Lowe with the toughest test of his career. Picture: William Cherry/PresseyeMarco McCullough will provide Lowe with the toughest test of his career. Picture: William Cherry/Presseye
Marco McCullough will provide Lowe with the toughest test of his career. Picture: William Cherry/Presseye
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The Morecambe man though has vowed to do whatever it takes to lift a title vacated by his sparring partner and current European champion, Leeds favourite Josh Warrington.

Lowe said: “In boxing of course there’s a fear of losing.

“You don’t know 100 per cent you’re going to win because he’s coming in to take my head off.

“I’ve prepared well and I’m in the best shape possible.

Isaac Lowe on the offensive during his draw with Ryan Doyle. Picture: Lawrence LustigIsaac Lowe on the offensive during his draw with Ryan Doyle. Picture: Lawrence Lustig
Isaac Lowe on the offensive during his draw with Ryan Doyle. Picture: Lawrence Lustig

“I don’t think about losing because I won’t get beat. I’d sooner die in that ring on Saturday night knowing I’d given it my all because I want that belt more than anything.”

Training has meant Lowe has spent the majority of 2016 over at the Freedom Boxing Club in Doncaster with trainers Jimmy Harrington and Dave Hulley.

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Sparring has seen him share rounds with the likes of former British super featherweight champion Gary Sykes and Commonwealth Super Bantamweight champion Bobby Jenkinson.

He said: “We’ve had to step up the training because we only had eight weeks notice for the fight.

“I was a bit behind time with Christmas and things like that.

“We’ve done a lot of sparring, a lot of working hard, plenty of hours in the gym and you know what? It’s working.

A young Isaac Lowe with Ricky Hatton during the Manchester great's visit to Lancaster back in 2009.A young Isaac Lowe with Ricky Hatton during the Manchester great's visit to Lancaster back in 2009.
A young Isaac Lowe with Ricky Hatton during the Manchester great's visit to Lancaster back in 2009.
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“I feel in the shape of my life and I’m ready to show everyone on Saturday night what I can do.”

Despite spending most of his time across the Pennines one of the main drivers for Lowe is representing his home town with pride.

With Tyson Fury also an adopted son of the area, being born and bred in Lancaster and Morecambe Lowe hopes he can emulate his good friend on Saturday night.

He said: “I’m a proud Morecambe and Lancaster lad, one thing that’ll never change is my roots.

“We’ve got Tyson as a world champion and we’re going to have a Commonwealth champion too.

“That’s not bad for a little seaside town.”