First professional loss could be ‘blessing in disguise’ for Dingwall boxer

Ben Bartlett says he has had a “total mindset change” as he prepares to step back into the ring after the first loss of his professional boxing career.

The 26-year-old came out the wrong side of a fight for the first time back in May, losing out to English boxer Tom Summerbell.

That led to a period of reflection, as Bartlett was consumed by doubt for the first time since he turned professional in 2019, but he will return to action this Saturday night in Perth when he faces another Englishman in Harley Collison.

For the “Bad Boy”, it was a fork in the road. However, he is adamant that he is better off for having experienced the setback, and is going into his next fight stronger than ever before.

“The last fight was a bit of a sickener to be honest, a bitter pill to swallow, but if anything I’ve learned a lot from it,” Bartlett said.

“It 100 per cent raised a few questions in my own mind. I could have gone into a really bad headspace with my career, but I got back in the gym and I trusted my coach and everyone around me.

“I can honestly say I’m feeling and looking a lot better, boxing-wise and mentally, after that loss. Maybe it was a blessing in disguise.

“It not only exposed holes in my game that I didn’t think I had, but I’ve felt what it’s like to lose now, and maybe I used to go into fights overly-confident.

“Now, it’s water under the bridge. I’ve put that loss behind me, and I’m focused on the future again, starting with Saturday.”

One thing that has not changed for Bartlett is his determination to leave everything in the ring.

That means he will continue to push himself by taking on tough challenges, and while he knows not everything will go his way in the ring, he would much rather be in that situation than look back in years to come wondering “what if”.

“One thing I will never be ashamed of is failing, because you never know what level you will get to if you don’t try, and you have to take these big fights,” Bartlett added.

“You have to put your record, and your pride, on the line in front of hundreds of your fans. When it doesn’t work, it’s tough, but when I’m older I will look back and be proud of myself for giving it my all.

“I actually feel like a lot of pressure has been taken off me after losing my last fight. I can continue without the worry of being undefeated, and I can just go in there and give my all.

“I thought I would lose some support, but I’ve probably actually sold more tickets for this one than I have for any of my professional fights. It’s full speed ahead, and it’s been an amazing camp with the great team I have behind me.

“I’m more open to changing my gameplan in the ring while a fight is happening. I didn’t really do that last time, and after a few rounds I really should have switched it up and realised that what I was doing wasn’t working. I’m really trying to have that adaptability.”