BRAVEHEART boxer Scott Cardle is on a crusade to bring a world title bout to Glasgow.

The British lightweight champion is also out to reinvent himself as a ‘Scottish fighter’ over the coming years and deliver yet another top-level competitor to Clyde side.

Born and bred in Lytham St Annes, Cardle’s family hail from Barrhead in Scots roots that go to his very core. As well as both his parents being from north of the border, the 25-year-old speaks with a broad Glasgow accent despite having never lived in the city.

Cardle is desperate to convince fight boss Eddie Hearn to look at moving his upcoming bouts to his spiritual home.

And he has called on the boxing promoter to consider putting him on the same card as former world champion Ricky Burns as he eyes a career at the top.

“I’d love my next fight in April to be here, it’s just difficult getting everyone on the right track and convincing the likes of Eddie Hearn to bring big shows up here,” he said.

“If you look at guys like Ricky Burns, he is still in the mix. He has an eliminator for a world title and hopefully that goes well. I might be able to get a big fight up in Scotland with Ricky. Even if it’s not against him it would be on the same show.

“But I want to be promoted up here as Scottish, so the public will start backing me. If that happens, my boxing will be up here sooner than you think.”

Cardle’s name may be fairly well known up here, but it is in England where the orthodox fighter is mostly recognised for his Scottish heritage.

It is an identity he hopes will find its way north before too long. “That’s what I am trying to do. I’m born and bred in England but to me, I’m more Scottish than anything else. All my family are from Barrhead,” explained Cardle to SportTimes, who was in Glasgow last month for the St Andrew’s Sporting Club Burns Supper.

“The boxing game up here is quite quiet, so I’d like to raise awareness of boxing up here. There’s some great fighters just not getting the recognition. If I can get big fights up here these guys could also benefit from it.

“I’d love that to happen. I think of myself as Scottish and so does everyone back home, I’m the Scottish fighter. It needs to be done. I made some great contacts when I was up here and was in great company, so hopefully we can get it arranged for the end of the year.

“My immediate plan is to defend this title and then move on to bigger things. If I go on to European or world level I’d like to bring those fights to Scotland, and Glasgow especially. I’ve fought in the city before and there is nothing like it. I’d love to bring my boxing back here.”

Cardle is aware his first priority is defending his British title, even if it means not in Scotland.

He managed to overcome Sean Dodd in Liverpool back in November after 12 rounds, but the champ is determined to give his opponent another shot at him.

“I am quite critical of myself and that’s not really my best performance,” said Cardle. “So straight after the fight I said I wanted a rematch because there is a lot I’ve got to redeem.

“Nothing has been confirmed yet for a rematch, but I’m looking to get back in the ring in April. I’m training again so I have a good few weeks to prepare.

“He did well for himself and he was the underdog. Everything went against him considering he fought the right fight and I didn’t. For that reason only, He deserves a rematch.

“I know I can do so much better in a rematch, so I’m also doing it for myself.”