WILLING TO GO THE DISTANCE
McGregor ready to add European title to his haul
THREE belts on a chair. Lightning Lee’s still dreaming…
OKAY, it might not be the most lyrical play on England’s over-used Three Lions anthem, but Lee McGregor will certainly be coming home this weekend.
And the 24-year-old Scot’s tortuous six-month training camp will only feel worthwhile if he adds the European bantamweight title to the British, Commonwealth and IBF Junior honours already in his possession.
Allowing his camera to linger on the three belts during an impromptu Zoom tour of his locked-down hotel room, he sounded like a man in need of an outlet for half a year’s worth of pent-up frustration.
Grumpy? He’s too cool a customer for that. But there’s a steely determination to the undefeated Edinburgh fighter.
‘I’ve put my heart and soul into this,’ he said. ‘I’ve left no stone unturned.
‘there’s no way I am going to lose. I won’t be denied. I’m going to do whatever it takes to get that belt.
‘My career has moved at a fast pace up until this point. I’m in my hotel room with my three belts — British, Commonwealth and the IBF youth title I won in my fourth fight. Aye, I’ve just been sitting looking at them!
‘And now I want the blue European one to go with it. If I could have those four belts within ten fights at the age of 24…’
Standing between McGregor and his immediate ambition is reigning European champion Karim Guerfi.
the Frenchman, a full decade older than the Scot, has a pro record of 29 wins and just four losses.
the original November meeting with Guerfi was postponed after McGregor tested positive for Covid, while a rearranged date in January fell through as the UK went back into full lockdown.
It’s fair to say both men will be ready to work out a little frustration when the bell goes tonight.
‘It’s finally here and it feels real now,’ said McGregor.
‘I’m in the bubble, been tested and we’re good to go. I feel like I’ve been preparing for this moment for ever.
‘I went to start camp when Josh taylor was three weeks out from his fight with Apinun Khongsong last September. And I’ve been in camp ever since then. those first few days feel like a lifetime ago. So I can’t wait to finally be fighting. I’m so excited for it.
‘Guerfi is actually a four-time European champion, which is seriously impressive. He’s 34 years old and a lot more experienced than me.
‘I think he thinks he’s just coming in with a young boy in front of him. But when that first bell goes, he’s going to get the biggest shock of his life.
‘I have a lot of respect for him, too. I know it’s going to be a hard fight. He’s only been beaten by world-level guys and he was in those fights. It won’t be easy for me but I’m ready for it.
‘He likes a scrap but it has to be mature from me. I’ll fight at the right times, I’ll box at the right times and I’ll control how it (the bout) goes.
‘It will be a disciplined performance on my terms. It will be very composed. I’m going to be sensible.’
Like close pal and double world champion taylor, McGregor has been fast-tracked into title fights.
As a European champion, he would at least be part of the discussions when world title fights are getting made if he wins this one.
‘I’m in such a good position,’ he insisted. ‘With the IBF, I’m ranked fourth in the world, Paul Butler is at three, nobody is at two and No 1 is Michael dasmarinas, who is the mandatory for Naoya Inoue.
‘Inoue will win that one and then there is talk he may vacate and move up a weight. Next up could be the winner of this fight versus Butler for a world title.
‘that’s unbelievable. It’s within touching distance if I get through this one.
‘So this fight is life-changing for me. One million per cent. So many doors will open if I’m victorious. that’s why I will leave everything in the ring.
‘If I get through this one, then who knows what might happen? I could be over in Vegas with Josh for his fight with Jose ramirez, too.
‘My main focus is becoming European champion and then moving on to Josh’s big fight.
‘Between us, we could have every single belt in boxing if we both win our next fights.’
● Lee McGregor v Karim Guerfi will be screened live on the iFL TV channel, available on YouTube, from around 10pm tonight.