DEMONS have been exorcised after a boxer’s near-two-year wait to step back into the ring.

Student Grant Campbell lost his debut bout when representing Abertay University against city rivals the University of Dundee in 2019.

He had intended to step into the ring the following year as part of an Ultra White Collar Boxing event but saw his fight suffer a temporary KO due to the coronavirus.

It was twice rearranged before Grant got back in the ring last month and was awarded his bout by referee stoppage.

He said: “One hundred per cent it has exorcised some demons.

“Since 2019 it plays on your mind, especially when I felt so ready in 2020 and had taken it so seriously.

“Covid hit for nearly two years and before December last year I did not feel as ready, then come March, this time I was ready.”

A crowd of about 250 packed into the Skyaxe Combat and Fitness Gym in Dundee for the event last month.

Grant, who is in his final year of studying business management at university, enjoyed the occasion after admitting he had been nervous for his first bout.

This time, though, there was nothing stopping the former Knox Academy pupil.

He said: “I finished the fight about one minute into the second round with a TKO against my opponent.

“The referee stepped in and took my opponent for an eight count and then waved it off.”

Ultra White Collar Boxing offers a unique opportunity for people with no boxing background the chance to sample the sport.

An eight-week training course is set out, with boxers also raising money for Cancer Research UK.

Grant enjoyed the tough training regime and went on to raise more than £600.

The 21-year-old, who is from Haddington, also gave a little nod to one of his interests outside of the ring during his ring walk.

He said: “I walked out to Thunderstruck [by AC/DC] but it was the Red Hot Chilli Pipers.

“I’m a member of a pipe band in Dundee and back home and thought that suited me quite well.

“It was a bit of a personal touch.

“I waved my arms to friends at the tables and got them going, got the crowd going too, but kept calm.

“I was bouncing away and knew my own ability and that I had it.

“I had joked that if I could stop it in the second round I would but I never expected it to happen.”

Now, with a record of one win and one loss, the Haddington Pipe Band member is weighing up the possibility of stepping into the ring again.

He told the Courier he “would love to fight again” and said: “There are options, which is good.

“I would like to fight at least once more and end it on a positive record – 2-1, not 1-1.”