Wilkinson revels in ‘redemption’ after shock win over Crolla

Fraser Wilkinson is hoping a statement win over William Crolla on Saturday can provide a pathway to a full-time career.

The 24-year-old Moray-born fighter was back at work as a builder on Monday after toppling the previously unbeaten younger brother of former WBA lightweight world champion Anthony Crolla.

Appearing on the Jack Catterall – Harlem Eubank undercard in Manchester, super-welterweight Wilkinson stopped the hometown favourite in the sixth round, causing a huge upset.

“It was a very special moment,” he told BBC Sport Scotland.

Wilkinson, who’s pro record now stands at 12 victories and two defeats, has recovered well after losing to Aberdeen’s Dean Sutherland at the end of last year, winning both fights since then.

“This was a bit of a redemption fight for me,” he said. “It was a chance for me to get on a bigger platform and do what I was meant to do at the Beach Ballroom [against Sutherland].

“I still work 9 to 5. I have got to get in the gym in the morning and then train straight after. I do that at least four days a week and then on the Friday I train once and Saturday I train once.

“People that saw me perform at the weekend, working full-time. Imagine what I can do when I am fully focused and actually training full-time.”

Wilkinson finished Crolla with a flurry of blows, having floored his opponent in the fifth round.

“If something comes of it it is going to be a remarkable win,” he added. “If nothing comes off the back of it, it has just been another notch on the record.

“For me it is big personally, just because I have dreamed of being on a Matchroom show since I was a kid and it was everything I thought it would have been.

“Hopefully, he [promoter Eddie Hearn] looked at my performance and thought ‘that kid has actually got a bit of something I would like to get behind’.

“But if it doesn’t I am not going to sit here and sulk. I am going to move on with my career, that is the most important bit. I will just keep going like I have always done. No matter what, I just keep going.”