KIERAN Gething will be happy to fight behind closed doors, insisting he isn't reliant on feeding off the crowd like other boxers.

The Welsh area super-lightweight champion (9-2-2) is training hard in lockdown to ensure he is good to go as soon as the sport gets the go-ahead for a return.

The 26-year-old hasn't fought since a draw against Jeff Ofori in November and is cranking up his preparations for a return to the ring, even though he doesn't yet have a date fixed in the diary.

He is unable to head to Pontypool ABC to work under the watchful eye of long-term trainer Lyndon James but is staying sharp.

South Wales Argus:

Gething said: "I have begun preparations for my next fight, without actually having any real date or confirmation yet, but I want to be ready.

"While the gyms are closed, training for me at the minute is long, cardiovascular work. Thankfully, I've got a punchbag at my mum's place so I can use that without any risk.

"I'm also fortunate to have my brother, who is a fantastic coach and a good boxer, and can take me on the pads.

"I've been doing a lot of running and cycling, but I can't do too much running because of my ankle – I was born with talipes (club foot), so haven't got full movement and can get painful grinding in the joints.

"I've been keeping fit all this time anyway, but I really need the motivation of a fight date, but I am getting myself ready anyway to stay ahead of the competition."

When boxing does return it is highly unlikely that fans will be cheering the fighters on, a blast from the past for Gething.

"Without saying too much yet, there's a real possibility my next fight will take place behind closed doors," he said.

"It will be a lot different to the rest of my professional career so far, but I'd imagine it will be like the old amateur tournaments, like in Finland where there's only about five people watching and all you can hear is your coach!

"I don't think it will affect my performance like it would other boxers, because I don't feed off the crowd, I feed off my own achievements and opportunities, not other people."

South Wales Argus:

The pandemic denied Gething the chance to spar against Josh Taylor, the world super-lightweight champion from Scotland.

The Gwent fighter believes the 29-year-old, whose title defence was postponed last month, is a prime example of a boxer who can flourish despite the disruption to their training regime.

Gething said: "I actually think the aggressive fighters with their chin uncovered, looking to knock people out, will be the affected most, because they won't have that extensive sparring experience where they can get used to taking a shot.

"The good boxers, like Josh Taylor, should have an advantage with their good habits, so I think the schooled styles will benefit more than the aggressive fighters when boxing resumes.

"I was actually due to spar Josh before lockdown, so hopefully I'll get to reschedule that when lockdown lifts.

"For this training camp I'll be looking to get more high-intensity sparring, I want to take myself out of my comfort zone and travel to a few places to spar with as many different fighters as I can."

Plenty of plans have been torn up because of coronavirus in 2020 but Gething is still aiming high.

"My goal this year is bring home a major title, such as the Commonwealth and British," he said.

"I am also interested in the European Union belt, as it's a WBC primer so can get you into the world rankings."