'ICEMAN' Craig Morgan has revealed that he is hoping to headline boxing shows closer to home next year – one of which could be in Dunfermline.

The 22-year-old, who returned to the ring after two years when he took on and beat Brett Fidoe in Aberdeen on November 12, recently left the St Andrew's Sporting Club stable to sign a three-year management contract with David McAllister's Northern Sporting Club.

And part of their plan for the 2019 Sporting Champion of the Year at the Times Community Champion Awards is to build his growing fanbase in Fife with a series of home events.

Since turning professional, Morgan has competed at shows in Paisley, Glasgow and Aberdeen, taking an army of followers to cheer him on as he racked up eight wins from eight in his most recent bout against Fidoe.

Now, though, the lightweight fighter is set to showcase his talents to more people locally – with the hope that a future title fight could take place in the Kingdom.

"David's actually going to be holding shows in Fife for me all next year," Kelty boxer Morgan commented.

"I'm going to be headlining three or four shows in Fife and that's what he wants me to do. He wants me to build up a fanbase in Fife.

"When I was fighting in Glasgow, I was selling a lot of tickets and there was a lot of people coming to support me, but there were people that couldn't make it. It'll be really good to get shows in Fife because then they'll all be able to make it.

"I'll obviously sell a lot more tickets, more people will get to see my fights instead of watching it live on Facebook.

"I'm chuffed; I can't wait to headline shows in my own area. It's every person's dream."

In the two years between his latest fights, due to COVID-19, Morgan has moved up a weight division from super featherweight to lightweight, and was a move that he says was always planned.

Morgan, who has also switched from a southpaw to an orthodox stance, continued: "There were a few times in my past fights where I was really struggling. Not not making the weight, but because I was doing it completely the wrong way. I was mentally struggling.

"I thought to myself it's time to get the finger out. It's COVID, I'm not going to be fighting, just focus on myself, start putting on the weight in a good way.

"I was fighting at 57kg in my first seven fights, and I'm still at 64kg now. I'm a lot lot healthier for it, and I will be fighting at 61.5kg. It's only 2.5-3kg to lose and I'm hitting harder, I'm boxing better, I'm more confident in myself, and I just feel better when I'm going into a ring.

"If you're going in there knowing you can make weight the wrong way or you're not fully good, you might still win the fight, but you're not going to be fully 100 per cent that you're going to win that fight.

"It's all about having the right mindset."

On acquiring the signature of Morgan, McAllister added: "Signing Craig once again shows the intent of the Northern Sporting Club; he is one of the brightest talents in Scottish boxing and he has entrusted NSC with the next stage of his career.

"We know he has a great fanbase and we will look to be having him showcase his undoubted skills at shows in Fife."