Boxing
'Tested my character!' - Rising British star plots path back to Lonsdale Belt opportunity with comeback under Nick Ball this weekend
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Brad Strand admits his first two career reverses have "tested me and my character" as he plots a path back to the British super-bantamweight title.
The star is in action this weekend at Liverpool's M&S Bank Arena, one of several hometown fighters on the Nick Ball-Brandon Figueroa undercard.
Strand, a proud Merseyside fighter, appeared on the rise before his bid for the Lonsdale Belt was derailed by Dennis McCann back in March 2024.
Since then, he has suffered a second career reverse to Ionut Baluta, though he got back on track with a win against Erick Omar Lopez in October.
Now, as he prepares to face Ruben Lezama Gonzalez, he has outlined his takeaways from his two reverses so far as he chases major silverware.
The Ring"I didn't expect the past two years to go the way they did," Strand exclusively told DAZN News. "I've learned a lot. It's tested me and my character.
"But I still believe I can be a world champion, and I'll give my all to get there. You learn from the losses. There's always more you can do on the night."
Strand is not fazed by a hometown show either, adding: "In the ring, you're locked in. It doesn't matter where you are. It's you, them and the referee."
If he dispatches his latest opponent this weekend, the star could well move himself back into major conversation for the currently vacant British crown.
It remains his prime target, even as he sits in the dark on what a path to the summit looks like, as various other domestic contenders push for a claim.
"I'm not sure what's happening with the British title, but I'm ready to fight whenever for it," he adds on the matter. "In the summer, or the end of the year.
"Yhat's what I want, my hands on that British title. I'll fight anyone. I'm not one of those [who duck], I'm a proper fighter. You back yourself to fight anyone."
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