KELVIN Young says his trainer Richard Farnan will take the bulk of the credit if he lifts the vacant IBO Intercontinental crown on Saturday night.

The 26-year-old takes on Bulgarian Alexey Ribchev at Swindon’s Oasis Leisure Centre and claims Farnan has played an instrumental role in getting him to the next level.

Prior to Farnan’s arrival, the Swindon super-middleweight’s career looked in tatters following defeat against Tony Hill back in October 2012.

Young admits he didn’t have a gameplan for that fight but now, with Farnan in his corner, he claims he is a better and more confident boxer.

“Rich is the main reason I am where I am,” Young told the Swindon Advertiser. “He has got me to a different level.

“When I lost to Tony Hill I didn’t really have a gameplan but now with Rich everything is done the right way.

“He knows exactly when to step training up and when to ease it down. He’s also got me top, top sparring against people like Carl Froch.

“Rich deserves all the credit for getting me to this point, without him I don’t know where I would be and I certainly wouldn’t be in a fight like this.”

As well as running a perfect training camp, Young hails Farnan’s ability to assess his opponents and is confident they have the right gameplan in place to deal with Ribchev.

“Rich studies every round of every fight with my opponents,” added Young. “We have the gameplan in place for Saturday and I trust in what Rich has worked out for us.

“He’s looked at every punch that Alexey Ribchev throws and knows him inside and out now.

“I didn’t have someone doing that for me before and it gives me so much more confidence when I go into the gym.

“Rich is also calm and collected in the corner during the fight.

“He never gets excited or panics and always says the right things which is just what I need.

“At the end of the day teaming up with Rich was the best thing that could have happened for my career and if I win on Saturday night he deserves a massive chunk of the credit.”

Also fighting on Saturday’s bill at the Oasis is Swindon duo Lawrence Bennett and Ben Fitch.

Cruiserweight Bennett takes on Courney Richards while welterweight Fitch faces Richard Thomas, both over four rounds. Malmesbury welterweight Joe Hughes is also in action against Mitch Prince.

Tickets are still available for the show and can be obtained by calling 07789890453 or 07951940768.