By Chris Walker

Under the keen eye of Joe Gallagher, Manchester puncher, Hosea Burton, is taking huge strides by sharing quality gym sessions with an accomplished cast of characters that are aiding the rapid development of one of Britain’s brightest prospects. The former ABA champion has his 3rd outing this Friday (June 8th) at the Magna Centre in Rotherham and the hard-hitting youngster is eager to take his preparation form into the ring.

“Everything has gone well for my next fight and I’ve been working on lots of different things with my team,” revealed Burton. “In Paul Smith and Callum Johnson, I’ve got two of the best sparring partners in the country and the stuff I’m learning off both of them is unbelievable. Both will be British champions in the near future so to be sharing a ring with them on a regular basis is perfect for me and it means I’m getting better and sharper all the time.”

Burton’s next fight is the start of a busy month for the Dave Coldwell promoted protégé as he’s also pencilled in to appear on the Sheffield man’s Bolton show on June 22nd. If all goes to schedule, Burton will have boxed three times in two months and the undefeated star is hopeful that his excessive activity can remain throughout the remainder of 2012.

“It’s not a problem for me at the moment because I’m in the gym all the time and I feel fit enough to fight regularly,” beamed the prized amateur. “If I had my choice, I’d be fighting every week because it’s my job and it’s what I love to do. I’m still making adjustments all the time from when I was an amateur but Joe’s bringing me along well. I’m getting used to pacing myself better because the amateurs were just like a big sprint where you had to go all out to score points.”

Burton’s unpaid adventure brought him many successes including a senior ABA gong in 2009 and he was unfortunate not to add a second to his collection when he was narrowly edged out by Lowestoft’s Anthony Ogogo the following year. After competing without his vest and headguard for the first time in March of this year, Burton insists that he’s “happy” with his progress as he makes the transition from amateur to professional.

“Everything has been spot on with Joe from day one and it’s impossible not to learn in his gym when you’re surrounded by quality fighters every day of the week. Joe’s got me punching a lot harder because he’s got me setting my feet more so little changes like that mean I’m improving all the time. I’m looking forward to Friday and then I’m out again two weeks later and hopefully I can just keep learning with every fight.”