Regan Glackin isn’t scared of hard work.

For years, the 27-year-old lightweight from Glasgow worked as a HGV mechanic for the local council, fitting his training around a full-time job.

Make no mistake, learning a trade was a back-up plan. Boxing was always much, much more than a time consuming hobby. Glackin’s dream was always to be a champion.

“I can honestly tell you in one answer what I miss about it,” Glackin (16-0, 3 KOs) told The Ring with a laugh. “Nothing."

He continues: “I've always been very much set on what I wanted to do, so I knew that was just time and effort. I just wanted a good trade.

“We'll see how successful boxing ends up but I'll never get back to being a HGV mechanic. Whatever other venture I go into, I'd like to think that the kind of type of person I am and my personality traits, I'd kind of be successful because I'd be willing to put the time and effort in, but I won't be going back to that.

“I used to run at 4am, get my breakfast and then I used to work from 6am until 2pm. I’d be back in the gym at 5pm with the boys so although I used to work, I still trained full time then as well so it was just a wee bit too much of a push, but the goal was always to get a good trade behind me before [boxing full time].”

On Saturday night, Glackin fights the undefeated Louie O’Doherty (10-0, 2 KOs) for the vacant British lightweight title. In the evening’s main event, his gym mate, Nathaniel Collins, gets the chance to snatch the European featherweight belt away from Cristobal Lorente. DAZN will broadcast the card from Glasgow’s Braehead Arena.

Glackin has been at the coalface for long time and finally has the chance to show his ability on a major platform.

“I started at 10 and I just turned 27 at the end of February so it’s just the 17 years,” he said. “It’s been a long journey.

"People do a 17-year work career, but it’s very much different because it [boxing] is definitely a daily thing you need to invest in. I guess some people might have a 20-year work career but boxing isn’t a 9-5. It’s very much full-time 24-7, especially in camp, obviously, but at this level now, you hear fighters talk about fights camps but when you're full-time, a fight camp lasts most of the year.”

The star names of the world lightweight division - Shakur Stevenson, Gervonta Davis, Keyshawn Davis - can dominate headlines and generate attention with a single interview. Away from the spotlight, there are thousands of fighters battling and scrapping for their own opportunity.

Glackin and O’Doherty have proven themselves away from the bright lights. They have both beaten solid, ambitious fighters for minor titles, completed the championship distance and patiently waited for their moment.

Glackin and O’Doherty enter Saturday’s fight having answered every question they have been posed. Neither has plotted a path through the division and the winner will be a legitimate, worthy British champion.

“I've had some questions asked and I've beat some good boys but, ultimately, so has my opponent,” Glackin said honestly.

“I'm not asking for a pat on the back because at the end of the day, you're doing your job but I think it feels a lot better for me knowing that I've earned it.

“Don't get me wrong, you need a bit of luck sometimes and I think some people get vacant shots prematurely, that’s the word I’m maybe going to use. Once you know that you’ve earned it, obviously it hits a lot better.”

Glackin spends his days training alongside the world-ranked Collins. He has seen first hand the kind of rewards that dedication and application can bring.

Collins laid a path for Glackin to follow. He made his bones on small, low profile shows at Glasgow’s Doubletree Hilton Hotel and the Trump Turnberry resort. He accumulated crucial experience and steadily improved as has moved through the levels and, on Saturday night, he headlines Glasgow’s Braehead Arena.

Glackin has been dreaming of holding the British title since he first pulled on a pair of boxing gloves as that 10-year-old child but claiming the prized Lonsdale belt will be much more than the boxing equivalent of a gold watch for 17 years of service to his profession.

He has already won the Scottish and Celtic lightweight titles and although a win on Saturday will see him accomplish a long held ambition, Collins’ success has shown him that as long as he continues to work, he could be capable of much more.

"If I get this British title, the goalposts then move,” he said.

“For me, that's always been my target. Every boxer needs to think, “I'm going to be a world champion” and I think you're in the wrong sport if you don’t think you can go that high.

“We've seen my teammate, Nathaniel, doing it, and seen how many doors this British title can open.

“You’re only one fight from winning the British. Then maybe make a defence and then that opens up your European and world stage.

“I'll be honest with you, I'm a full-time fighter. That’s my full-time job, so I'm happy I've won the Scottish title and I've won the Celtic title, but I'm not just hanging about to stay at that level. So for me, it's always been get to this British and see how we fare. I just believe it's the perfect time.”