Scottish Boxing’s Future in Focus as Lee McGregor Takes on Nathaniel Collins
The spotlight will shine brightly on the Hydro in Glasgow tonight as Josh Taylor aims to reignite his career in a new weight division against Ekow Essuman. However, it is the undercard that promises to shape the future of Scottish boxing, with a mouth-watering contest between Lee McGregor and Nathaniel Collins for the WBC silver featherweight title.
According to an article in Yahoo Sports, this all-Scots clash has all the makings of a classic fight, with both fighters boasting similar backgrounds and pedigree. Collins, from Glasgow, joked that the fight was like facing a "mirror image", such is the similarity between the two boxers. "It’s like fighting a mirror image," he said, as quoted in the original article.
The two fighters have a long history, having sparred endless rounds together and fought alongside each other in the amateur ranks. Both are 28 years old, have experienced personal trauma outside of the ring, and are fathers to young daughters who are their world. The only significant difference between the two is that McGregor is an orthodox boxer, while Collins is a southpaw.
Despite attempts to add animosity to the contest, the two boxers have shown enduring respect for each other. As Yahoo Sports reported, not one insult or desultory comment has been uttered, and this is a business contest, not a personal one. McGregor remains the fastest man to be crowned British, Commonwealth and European champion, achieving it all in just 10 professional bouts. However, his career stalled after a draw and a maiden defeat, and it seemed like his journey was losing momentum.
However, a victory over Isaac Lowe in Riyadh in December sparked a revival, and McGregor believes that his tough spell in the wilderness has inspired him. "I feel like I’ve just bounced on from that Saudi fight," he said, as reported by Yahoo Sports. "This is now a life-changing fight for me and Nathaniel and I’m ready for that. I’ve been through hell, the worst times of my life. Times that made me genuinely question it all and want to give it up. But the mindset I’ve got now is only because of those times. That’s moulded me and it’s part of my story."
Collins’ career trajectory has been more straightforward, collecting the British, Commonwealth and European silver belts on a 16-fight unbeaten stretch. However, he has faced adversity in the shape of a perceived lack of recognition for his achievements and a twisted bowel that left him fighting for his life just a year ago. Like McGregor, those setbacks have provided more fuel for his journey, and by the end of the year, the winner of this fight could be looking at a crack at Stephen Fulton’s WBC title.
"It’s all I think about," admits Collins, as quoted in Yahoo Sports. "I just keep thinking that if I can get through this then Stephen Fulton could be my next one and the chance to fight in America."
Family provides the biggest motivation for both fighters, with McGregor’s six-year-old daughter Maddison and Collins’ two-year-old daughter Izzy being their biggest fans. "She knows what’s going on now, telling all her pals at school, ‘My dad’s a boxer!’ and she’s so proud," McGregor said, as reported by Yahoo Sports. "I never get emotional but when I think of her it gets me. A dad’s love for a daughter is something you can’t explain."
In conclusion, the stage is set for an all-Scots classic fight that promises to shape the future of Scottish boxing. With both fighters evenly matched and driven by personal and professional motivations, this contest has all the ingredients of a thrilling encounter. As Yahoo Sports noted, the winner could be looking at a shot at a world title, and the loser will be left to ponder what could have been. Tonight’s fight promises to be an unmissable event for boxing fans.
