By Mark Froggatt      

Two months have passed since Hatton Promotions handed Scott Lawton the once of a lifetime opportunity to fight for the vacant European featherweight title against Leva Kirakosyan in Scott’s home city of Stoke-on-Trent.

It was a dream come true for Lawton, who had previously failed in two attempts at the British lightweight title against John Murray and Jon Thaxton, as well as losing to Amir Khan for the Commonwealth belt.

But things did not go according to plan again for the likeable Cellarhead fighter, who suffered a crushing 3rd round stoppage at the hands of the impressive former European champion Kirakosyan at Fenton Manor.

Lawton admits; “I just felt it was a step up in class that I was not ready for.  If you make a mistake at that level then you will get punished for it, they won’t let you off the hook.  I think that is what happened in the fight, I got caught early on in the first round and was pretty much on autopilot from then on, the game plan went right out the window.  I just think it is a matter of levels, I couldn’t last at that level.”

“I was gutted to be honest after the fight. But when you get offered to fight for the European title, I don’t care what type of boxer you are - you are going to take it.  It was something I never thought I would be able to do anyway.  I would not change the fact that I took the fight, obviously I could have done with staying away from him earlier in the fight but that is just boxing for you, things don’t always go to plan.”

The difference in class was evident on the night, as the step up to European level proved too much for Lawton who struggled to cope with Kirakosyan’s power, as the Armenian’s lethal combinations scored highly against a weak defense.

Speaking after the defeat, a deflated Scott hinted at hanging up his gloves and walking away from boxing for good.  However, after several weeks of rest and reflection, he has decided not to give up on his dreams just yet, as he sets his sights on clearing up the domestic scene.

He declared: “I’m back in the gym now, keeping things ticking over by doing a bit of sparring.  I’m just having all of my medicals done now so that I will be ready to box in about eight weeks.  I just want to get back fighting.  If I don’t get another big fight then I don’t get another big fight, that’s that.  I won’t complain about it.  I’m happy with what I have done in my career, but if something comes off for me then I will take it with both hands, as I always do.

“To be honest my first plan was to go for the British super-featherweight title but obviously I got offered to fight for the European belt and you can get a bit greedy can’t you, so of course I went for that but the British belt has always been the main goal.”

Lawton's strong relationship with Hatton Promotions should enhance his chances of earning a third British title attempt.  Although the promotional company, led by former world champion Ricky Hatton, also looks after the interests of fellow super-featherweight title contenders Anthony Crolla and Andy Morris, meaning competition is fierce.

Lawton spent the majority of his career fighting in the 10st lightweight division but failed in his two attempts to secure the British title, most recently from John Murray back in June 2009.  But with Murray fighting Gary Buckland for the vacant European lightweight title on May 7th, the Manchester brawler is expected to relinquish his domestic crown should he succeed on the Euro stage - leaving it vacant and up for grabs.  A prospect that excites Lawton.

“I would be up for anything if I get offered that fight, I’d happily go up to lightweight again.  I do think super-featherweight is an easier division than lightweight though at British level but it is definitely something I would consider and jump at the chance,” revealed Lawton.

At the age of 33, Lawton realises his boxing days are numbered and has already taken steps to his career outside of fighting.  But the passionate Stoke City supporter will not stray too far from the action as he plans to start a new path in the corner, rather than centre, of the ring.

“I am already in the boxing gym all the time anyway training young fighters so it would just be the next step for me.  I do a bit of it now, I have had my trainers badge for the last few years as well so I plan on doing that after I stop fighting.”