By Owen Morgan
Jay Harris steps back into the ring on Sunday night for the first time since his valiant world title challenge earlier this year.
The Swansea flyweight is hoping a successful defence of his Commonwealth title against Marcel Braithwaite in Wakefield will lead to another crack at a global crown.
Harris won widespread praise for his performance in defeat against WBC champion Julio Cesar Martinez back in February.
That experience has given Harris an appetite for another world title shot.
“I think the whole experience of the world title fight was unreal,” he said.
“It was the best I’ve had in boxing, during the whole build up, and even the fight, despite it not going my way. I’ve taken a lot from the whole experience and I would look forward to doing it again in the future.”
However, Harris isn’t underestimating the job in hand against 26-year-old Merseysider Braithwaite.
“It’s really good to get straight back into a competitive fight,” said MTK global fighter Harris.
“I didn’t want anyone that I can just blow over in a couple of rounds as there’s no point and it wouldn’t be respected.
Everytime I’m on a diet and making weight I seem to need to watch masterchef 🤤🙈
— Jay Harris (@jayharris19) October 12, 2020
“This fight on the other hand is a great fight and I’ll have to be focused and on my game, so this gets me excited.
“I’m hoping to get another world title shot, but I’m not looking past Marcel. This fight is as important as any other fight, so I’ve just got to focus on the job at hand.
“I’m very excited to get back in the ring. I’m expecting a tough fight as Marcel is going to come to win.
🗣 ‘THE CHOSEN ONE’
Liverpool star @manlikemarcel knows he’s bound for greatness.
We can’t wait to see him in the ring after becoming one of @MTKGlobal’s top signings recently 💪#TeamMTKGlobal #MarcelBraithwaite #Liverpool #Boxing pic.twitter.com/HDaCLtm7XF
— MTK Global 🌍 (@MTKGlobal) July 7, 2020
“He had a good fight with Sunny Edwards in his last outing, so I’ve trained hard and prepared for any sort of situation that Marcel is going to bring.”
Harris’ clash with Braithwaite is part of a strong card at Production Park Studios in Wakefield on Sunday, which will be broadcast live in the US on ESPN+ in association with Top Rank and worldwide on IFL TV.