SCOTT ALLAN LOOKING TO CAUSE UPSET AGAINST LEE MCGREGOR
Two Scottish champions come face to face on Saturday on MTK's show at the Emirates Arena in Glasgow.
Celtic bantamweight champion, Scott Allan takes on Commonwealth champion Lee McGregor, with McGregor's title on the line.
ESBR spoke to Scott Allan ahead of the clash and began by asking how he feels the fight will play out.
"It’s an exciting time for Scottish boxing just now and the bantamweight category is flying just now." began Allan.
"I’m expecting a very hard fight, we think Lee will try to come out the traps very fast but it’s nothing we haven’t already prepared for. He’s big lad for the weight and I think he’ll struggle to get down and that’ll play a factor in the later rounds and I’ll expose him and take the win. So it’s a massive upset I’m going to cause on Saturday night and I’m buzzing for it."
Allan was expected to headline the last MTK show at the Emirates with a local derby clash with Iain Butcher, however Butcher pulled out late in the day. Allan for his part, isn't dwelling on that fight and is only looking ahead. "I’ve not dwelled to much on the last fight, was gutting at the time but we move on. I believe everything happens for a reason and in hindsight him not making weight has set me up for a Commonwealth title shot but it’s all in the past." explained Allan.
"This is a massive opportunity on a huge stage to allow me to showcase what we’ve been working hard on this year so far, so I’m very much grateful for the opportunity that has arisen from it. I’m a professional boxer, all I want to do is fight the best so I’m thrilled to be back in action!"
Allan put on a great display to win the Celtic title against Gary Rae last October, he was an underdog then and feels he is an even bigger underdog this time out. "The Gary Rae fight, I was the underdog going into also, I love causing upsets in massive fights. I’ve got a lot of time for Gary he’s a great guy, also helped me a lot in sparring for this up and coming bout."
Allan continues, "It was up there with the highlights of my boxing career winning the Celtic title. Now we challenge for a bigger title yet again, I'm not sure if my Celtic title is on the line, I think it may only be the Commonwealth as its a bigger title."
Allan has committed to boxing full time for the first time, to see just how far he can go. He has trained with former British and Commonwealth champion Willie Limond, current British champion Kash Farooq amongst others. "My training has been sensational in preparation for this fight and I’ve had plenty of sparring with the likes of Gary Rae, Joe Ham and the current British champ himself (Kash Farooq) to name but a few so the rounds are there." said Allan.
"There’s a great team atmosphere when we’re all in the gym together. It spurs you on having the likes of Willie (Limond) and Michael (McGurk) train along side you. Actually for the first time in my professional career I’ve took the leap of faith to go full time with my boxing to better myself as a boxer so I can compete at the highest level and see where my ability takes me. Which wouldn’t be possible without the help of my sponsors (Wishaw Chiropractic Associates, Kudos Kitchens Bathrooms and Bedrooms, Lloyd Swan financial solutions). I genuinely can’t thank them enough for believing in me and backing me all the way."
I ended by asking if Allan beats McGregor could we see a third match up with Kash Farroq.
"When I beat McGregor!" Declared Allan.
"Personally, I think me and Kash will go in different directions for now. But that’s something me and my team will discuss after Saturday, in all honesty I don’t see the fans getting too excited for a third showdown just yet. Never say never."
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