McGregor: I have Farooq to thank for work ethic
LEE McGregor insists he has got Kash Farooq to thank for giving him a reality check and has paid tribute to his former bantamweight rival.
McGregor beat his fellow Scot in a controversial split decision in November 2019 – despite many onlookers believing then British champion Farooq had done enough to earn the victory.
Since then, McGregor, who picked up the European belt last year, has transformed his approach to boxing in and outside of the ring.
The pair had been due to clash in a rematch in April before Farooq’s recent shock decision to retire on the advice of medical professionals.
And McGregor admits the close nature of the bout with Farooq opened his eyes to the way his career was evolving.
McGregor said: “He gave me the hardest fight of my career so far. That’s given me the click that this is a hard, hard sport – you can’t cut any corners and I thank Kash for that.
“I’ve got a whole different mindset towards boxing now. I’m here in any way I can help in terms of raising some funds for him for the future although nothing will take away the pain from not boxing.
“I meant everything I said on social media about [Farooq], it was from the bottom of my heart. I’m a genuinely devastated for him, we were both going to go on and change our lives regardless of the outcome.
“The rematch was something I was so looking forward to and I was visualising that everyday I woke up.”
Speaking to Seconds Out, McGregor added: “The Kash Farooq fight was agreed for April. I’m staying ready and we’ll see what happens.”