He lost 14 stones to be a lord of the ring
Barrie, 29, packs a punch
A Netherton super- slimmer is preparing for his first professional boxing match after shedding an amazing 14 stones and transforming his lifestyle.
Barrie McCrorie, 29, is fighting fit and ready to take on his opponent in the ring on June 10 after signing a contract with On The Ropes Boxing.
After tipping the scales at an unhealthy 24 stones, morbidly obese Barrie was desperate to tackle his expanding waistline. In 2014 he forked out almost £10,000 for major bariatric surgery, which he says he is sure saved his life.
The gastric sleeve operation – during which he had over half his stomach removed - led to him lose an incredible nine stones in under a year.
Speaking after his surgery, Barrie said: “It was a decision I had to make as my weight was beginning to have a really serious impact on my health.
“I could only walk a few steps without getting breathless and struggled to find clothes that would fit.
“I was embarrassed by my size and used it as an excuse to stay at home and comfort eat.”
Since then machine operator Barrie has lost a further five stones after taking up running and boxing.
He said: “My life has been totally transformed. I’m a new person physically and mentally. I have so much more confidence in myself and honestly still can’t believe how far I’ve come.
“Signing the pro boxing contract was like a dream come true. I’ve always been a huge boxing fan but to now be fighting in front of thousands myself is overwhelming.
“If someone had told me I’d be boxing professionally three years ago I’d have laughed in their face. I didn’t want to leave the house to go to the shop never mind the gym.”
Before the operation, Barrie binged on takeaways and junk food and couldn’t bend down to tie his own shoe laces.
He explained: ”I hated what I had become. I had tried every diet under the sun – but nothing seemed to be working. I was suffering from high blood pressure, poor circulation, heartburn and painful knees. I felt like an old man.
“I was miserable and putting myself at risk of having a heart attack or stroke but I just couldn’t stop.”
Barrie said he does not regret paying £9995 from his life savings.
He added: “It’s the best thing I ever done. I’d pay it again if I had too. It wasn’t about the money, it was about my health and the surgery has done absolute wonders for that.”
Barrie goes for a run every morning before work at 4.30am. After a nine hour shift, Barrie comes home, has his dinner
and then goes for lengthy training sessions at the Elite Kickboxing and Fitness in Carfin with his coaches former Scottish bantamweight champion Charlie Parvin and Ged Murray.
He added: “For some people that sounds like a chore but I love it.
“To have the energy to do this is amazing.
“I’m fighting at super lightweight so I have to be 10 stones for the weigh-in. Right now I’m just over that so I have to try to lose the last few pounds. I know that will be tough because of how light I already am. But I’m determined to get there.”
Barrie is preparing to take on Tom Murray at the Hell or High boxing event at On-X Centre, Linwood, Paisley, on June 10.