STUDENT of the game Nicholas Devlin has been taking inspiration from some of boxing’s best as he aims to claim the inaugural Boxing Scotland Gold Series Lightweight Championship this weekend.
The O’Neils boxer will face Rob Roy’s Isa Akram over five rounds at ‘Clash On The Clyde’ on Saturday evening at Glasgow’s Crowne Plaza Hotel.
The 22-year-old admits he is constantly watching boxing, both old and new, as he looks to improve his skills in the ring.
Indeed, Devlin’s boxing style has changed dramatically since his Bronze medal at the European Schools Championships in Russia in 2015, developing into almost a South American style that would make one of his favourites – Mexican great Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez – proud, with pressured counter-punching and plenty of body work.
“Back when I won the European medal I would call myself a boxer and I was in and out and boxing,” Nicholas said.
“But now I like to counter on my way forward. I do see a change since then.
“I do study a lot of boxing, I’ve got boxing in the head and I am always constantly watching boxing and studying boxing – watching old fights, watching newer fights.
“So I take in to play what I see and try and take that into sparring and see if it will work with my style.
“It is all about progressing and learning at the end of the day.
“Canelo is one of my favourite boxers and also Vasyl Lomachenko, he is my number one.
“He likes to come forward, but you can’t hit him when he comes forward.
“So I like his style, but also Canelo is one of my top boxers.
“I think I have matured as a boxer.
“That is all down to my coaches at O’Neils Boxing Club and obviously Boxing Scotland as well.
“I still have much more to learn and improve on, but I am happy where I am at just now.”
Devlin will be facing fellow former European Bronze medallist and Team Scotland teammate Isa Akram on Saturday evening.
The two are close friends outside of the ring, but Nicholas does not expect that to stop there being fireworks at the Crowne Plaza.
“It will be weird at the start, but I am sure once the bell rings we will get going and the five rounds will be actioned packed,” he added.
“It is just a bout at the end of the day and it is not going to ruin our relationship as pals.
“We both know what we need to do and it is a mutual agreement that we go in there, do what we need to do, and then are back pals after it.
“I know how good he is and I know what I am up against.
“But I know deep down that I’ve got his number and that I can beat him.”
The bout will be one of two main events which will top the card at ‘Clash On The Clyde’, with both set to be competed over five rounds.
In addition to the Lightweight clash, 2022 Scottish Elite Welterweight champion Matthew McDonald (Nightmare) will face 2023 Scottish Elite 60kg champion Fawaz Aborode (Byron) for the inaugural Boxing Scotland Gold Series Welterweight Championship.
Devlin has no doubts about competing over the extended rounds and believes it will play into his advantage with his crafted style of boxing.
“I actually think the five rounds will suit me as I like to come forward and pick my shots and let them fall in,” Nicholas added.
“My style coming forward at my pace I think is going to suit me more.
“A lot of amateurs like to box and move, but over more rounds that is harder to do.
“A lot of amateurs also neglect the body work, but I like to hit the body.
“If you start with the body early they are going to slow down later on in the fight, so it is going to suit me to be fair.”
