Danny is heading in the Wright direction

TOUGH GUYS . . . Danny Wright takes a break from sparring with Anthony Crolla

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DANNY Wright ought to head into his next professional fight on March 24 in tip-top shape having sparred with some of the country's elite fighters.

Failsworth welterweight prospect Wright (20) - a former national champion before he turned to the paid ranks last year - will bid to stretch his unbeaten run to three from three at the VIP Promotions' 'Risk or Reward' show at the Robin Park Arena in Wigan.

PROGRESS

His preparations continue to progress nicely with trainer Ben Lancaster in Middleton, and will certainly have been boosted by two weeks of intense sparring with Chadderton-based Anthony Crolla, who is gearing up to take on Jorge Linares again for the WBA, WBC Diamond and Ring Magazine lightweight world titles at the Manchester Arena on March 25.

Wright said: "I've actually known Anthony for quite a while, but I've never sparred with him.

"I was over the moon when (Crolla's trainer) Joe Gallagher got in touch and asked me over to their gym in Bolton for a couple of weeks.

"I loved being in the ring with him, and to be honest I think we both got a lot out of the sessions.

"I thought I did well, he didn't spark me out or anything. We did a massive eight three-minute round session to finish off - with the heaters on in there - and that was so tough.

"Don't forget I'm used to freezing cold starts at Ben's gym in his garden!

"Joe said they might want me to go back and do a bit more with Anthony now, I'm waiting to see if I get another call. In the meantime, Terry Flanagan's team have asked me to go and spar with him next week as he gears up for his world title fight against Petr Petrov (on April 8 at the Manchester Arena).

"All this great sparring could only help with my development in the professionals.

"I've been in with the best around - Tyrone Nurse, Jack Catterall, Anthony and now I'm going in with Terry.

"It's helping lift my profile and I'm learning so much from these sessions."

Wright can't wait for the Wigan show, where he'll take on as as-yet unnamed opponent.

He's not fought since out-pointing Ross Jameson on November 19 at the Victoria Warehouse in Trafford Park.

Since then Wright has suffered slightly with a bout of cellulitis, but a course of antibiotics has shifted that.

"I feel great at the moment," Wright added.

"I'm really enjoying the whole professional routine now and everything that I''m learning.

"I can't wait to put on an exciting show in Wigan and just take that next step in my career."