Prospect's time to shine on ring return

Lucas Ballingall, left, with his trainer and father Michael Ballingall. Picture: John Ackerley

Ballingall steps back into the ring this Saturday on the undercard of Chris Eubank Jnr’s clash with Renold Quinlan.

The 20-year-old has an opportunity to shine on ITV Box Office at London Olympia as he returns from an injury lay-off.

Ballingall will be out to impress against Harvey Helmsley in their four-round match-up.

Lucas Ballingall with his Fitness For Life sponsor, personal trainer Warren Chebby. Picture: John Ackerley

And the aim is for the featherweight to move towards titles over the next 12 months.

Ballingall has called out Southern Area super-featherweight champ Boy Jones Jnr – and believes that is a potentially exciting contest from which he would emerge victorious.

But first the Portsmouth talent has to impress on Saturday with the likes of heavyweight great Lennox Lewis and pound-for-pound star Andre Ward ringside.

He said: ‘I’m fighting a tough journeyman and I’m going to go up there and put in a strong performance.

‘I want to put my name out there because I want to win titles.

‘I want to pick up a Southern Area title this year and believe I could even go past that to pick up an English title.

‘This is the year I want to put my name up there and win titles. I want people to know who I am and what I’m capable of.

‘I’m getting bigger, so it’d probably be at super-featherweight.

‘Boy Jones Jnr has got that and I’d love to fight him. I’d love that and I think I’d beat him hands down.

‘He’s a strong lad and he’s getting better. It’d be a good fight between two prospects but it’s one I’ll win.’

Ballingall will have a decent following making the trip to the capital on Saturday.

He is thankful for that backing and the host of businesses supporting his emergence.

The likes of Restore My Floor, HS Building, Michael Pack Painting & Decoration, Diamond Racing, Fitness For Life and Nuffield Health are helping to bankroll that charge.

Ballingall said: ‘People weren’t sure about the show at first – with it being on Box Office.

‘It seemed it was a few unbeaten prospects and Chris Eubank Jnr.

‘Now there’s the likes of Kid Galahad, David Price, Andrew Selby and Adam Etches against John Ryder.

‘I’ve managed to sell quite a lot of tickets for the show. I’ve got a lot of people coming up to support me and I’m really thankful. It means a lot.

‘People want to get involved and it feels my support is getting bigger and bigger. I’m really lucky with my sponsors, too.

‘The whole community is coming together. It’s great to see these people showing that backing. When I do make it I won’t forget that. Without that support I wouldn’t be fighting.’