LEE McGregor has vowed to take out a year of frustration to achieve his childhood dream of becoming world champion.
The boxing star was tipped for the very top of the sport but has been left frustrated by inactivity in recent years – with just two fights since the summer of 2021.
Tonight (Friday), he is stepping back into the ring at Edinburgh’s Meadowbank Sports Centre to take on Erik Robles Ayala with the IBO World Super Bantamweight title on the line.
McGregor said: “I’m buzzing. “It has been a long time coming.
“I was getting spoken about as Britain’s next world champion and tipped to be going on to big things.
“That was ripped away from me and I believe I should be already there.
“It has taken a little bit longer than expected but I am only a couple of days away from being world champion.”
McGregor, who lives in Blindwells with his partner and daughter, looked destined for the top and to follow in the footsteps of Josh Taylor as Britain’s next top boxing star.
Victory over Ukashir Farooq in November 2019 saw him crowned double champion with the Commonwealth and the British Bantamweight titles.
A rematch with his fellow Scotsman was planned but was shelved as Farooq was unexpectedly forced into retirement.
Speaking to Courier Sport on Monday, McGregor explained how it had been a difficult few years.
He said: “The rematch got cancelled due to Kash having to retire. “Ever since then, it has been bad luck in general.
“It fell through and it would have been life-changing.
“Finance wise, career wise, profile wise, it was huge.
“It was going to be a sold-out Hydro in Glasgow and to have my profile, exposure and financially it would have gone through the roof, especially after the first fight, which was huge.
“Then, that got ripped away and I seemed to get bad luck after bad luck and just found myself picking up injuries, fights falling through, and I was just in a bad, frustrating time.
“Now I can get back, I’ve got a new deal and I am excited to get going.”
Ready to claim the IBO Super Bantamweight World Title at the 𝒉𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒈 for @LeeMcGregor3 💥
— Wasserman Boxing (@WassermanBoxing) July 19, 2023
Friday July 21st, Live on @Channel5Sport 🥊 @SauerlandBros | @Ladbrokes | @getnuman | #McGregorRobles pic.twitter.com/NSuoIAjLm6
Twenty-six-year-old McGregor, originally from Edinburgh, comes into the bout with a record of 12 wins and one draw from his 13 encounters.
His opponent travels from Mexico with just one defeat from his 14 encounters.
Looking ahead to the bout, which is being screened live on Channel 5 from 10pm, McGregor said: “He is Mexican, he is tough, coming forward he is a tough fighter. He is coming over here and you know what you get – they come to fight.
“I am expecting a really hard fight.
“He has nine knockouts so he can obviously punch.
“He is strong and it is going to be really exciting.”
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