ADAM Machaj believes next year will be his best yet as he aims to get his professional career back on track.
The Oswaldtwistle heavyweight lost his unbeaten record in Blackburn in September before having to pull out of his next fight, which was also planned for the King George’s Hall on November 22.
But the 27-year-old has had time to regroup with a busy schedule set for 2015.
“It’ll be a big year for me, I’m hoping to get into the British top 10,” he said.
“My mind wasn’t in the right place for my last fight. Physically I was in good shape but mentally I wasn’t right.
“I’d become a bit lackadaisical. I wasn’t up for it like I should have been and I got the result I deserved.
“But you learn a lot more about yourself from a defeat and I believe I’ll be a lot stronger because of it.
“I’ve not had many pro fights so I’m still learning about what it takes to be a pro boxer.”
Machaj got another insight when he spent a week sparring with Dereck Chisora in London ahead of last Saturday’s fight with Tyson Fury, when Chisora was stopped in the 10th round.
“He just didn’t turn up,” said Machaj, who has a 4-1 record.
“He was nothing like that with me, he was like an animal. I’ve still got sore ribs now!
“But I learnt so much from his trainer, Don Charles. I’ll be going down there to spar with him regularly in the new year.”
Machaj injured his hand while in London, ruling him out of Blackburn’s November show, but he aims to fight there in February.
“I hope to fight six-to-eight times next year,” he said. “There should be a few more shows at the King George’s Hall.
“And if I can’t make the grade next year I may as well give up!”
