Pro dream drives Mcgivern on

Boxer Ben Mcgivern has waited his whole life for his professional debut and he’s not about to give up on that dream.

Mcgivern was handed an opportunity by promoter Sam Kynoch to make his professional debut at the Crowne Plaza in March last year butit was cancelled just days before due to the pandemic.

The Coatbridge man had dropped from 15 and a half stone to 12 stone in a bid to prove his determination to re-launch his career.

He said:“i’ve been waiting so long to make my professional debut and I was just overwhelmed that Sam gave me that chance.

“I was carrying a bit of weight but Sam said if i got down to light heavyweight then he’d sign me.

“I told him I’d goone better and get down to super middle weight and although he gave me 12 weeks, i managed itin eight weeks.

“I was grateful for the opportunity soi will continue to putin the hardwork because I’ve wanted to bein this position for years. I’ve not really been outof the gym since and everything is going great.

Mcgivern enjoyed a prolific amateur career and sparred with former world Champion Ricky Burns underthe tutelage of legendary trainer Rab Bannan.

At 33 years old, Mcgivern could have called ita day after a troublesome career but he wants to keep fighting.

He said: “it was so frustrating when the fight was cancelled and it wouldhave been easy to give because of my age.

“All theother boxers that I fought at amateur level are retired, healthy with their feet up butthat’s not my game.”

Fighting on Ben Mcgivern