Mac’s fighting chance of a Games medal
WEARSIDE warrior Kiaran Macdonald could not wait to get into the ring - and it showed as he breezed his way into the Commonwealth Games quarterfinals.
The silky Sunderland fighter gave a timely reminder of his podium potential with a clinical unanimous points victory over 2018 bronze medallist M Vidanalage Ishan Ranjeewa Senevir of Sri Lanka at the Birmingham Indoor Arena.
Macdonald was full of confidence after pulling off the boxing mantra of hit and don’t get hit to a tee, displaying a fleet of foot t he hopes will take him all the way to the top.
He said: “I am over the moon. The first one is always the worst, so it was great to get it out of the way.
“I have spent a week seeing everyone else winning so it was great to get in the ring and get the job done.
“I knew he was a seasoned operator but he just rushed it and telegraphed it a bit.
“I felt like I was a step ahead all the time.
“I felt like I was a level above and I just have to build on this for my next performance.”
European silver medallist Macdonald will return to action in tomorrow’s quarter-final against Otukile Rajab Mahommed of Botswana and is set to be cheered on again by his army of travelling fans.
He added: “It is massive to have my family here, they don’t get to watch us compete much live.
“I think the last time I competed in England was 2017, so it is massive to have the Games on my doorstep.
“The opening ceremony made the hairs on my neck stand up and walking out in the arena with everyone behind you it is great to have the nation’s support.”