A WORLD title shot could be the reward for Lee McGregor if he emerges victorious in Glasgow this weekend.
The WBC Silver featherweight title will be on the line when the East Lothian boxer locks horns with hometown favourite Nathaniel Collins at the OVO Hydro.
Victory could then edge either Scotsman one step closer to competing for one of the four world titles.
McGregor, who will be joined on the card this evening (Saturday) by former undisputed world champion and fellow county resident Josh Taylor, said: “The winner will be there or thereabouts and chapping at the door, waiting on their title shot.
“Stephen Fulton is the WBC champion and I would love to go out and take some Scottish fans out to the USA and challenge him in Las Vegas.
“Las Vegas was always the dream as a kid, but Saudi Arabia has taken over that and become the new Las Vegas.
“It would be amazing to tick off Las Vegas as well and that gives me even more motivation to come through this fight.”
READ MORE: Lee McGregor ready to put 'tough times' behind him as he stars on Fury vs Usyk card
McGregor enjoyed a memorable 2024 after the disappointment of suffering his first professional loss in 2023, when he lost a points decision to Erik Robles Ayala at Edinburgh’s Meadowbank Stadium.
Victories over both Jorge Moya and Deiner Polo then set up the chance to fight for the WBC International featherweight title on the undercard of Tyson Fury’s clash with Oleksandr Usyk in Saudi Arabia.
McGregor overcame Isaac Lowe to lift the title and is looking to take another step in the right direction in his bid to become a world champion.
The Blindwells resident told Courier Sport: “Nathaniel is quite a smart boxer, quite cute, but he can dig in and fight as well.
“I feel we are very similar and I can box and fight also.
“I just feel I am that little bit better at boxing and a better fighter.”
Collins comes into the bout with an undefeated record of 16-0.
And the Glaswegian is no stranger to McGregor, with the two having worked alongside one another in the gym.
READ MORE: Club legend aiming to bow out with historic final day
McGregor, 28, said: “We have sparred so many times in gyms, empty gyms, just the two of us on cold Sunday mornings.
“We have had wet gloves and wet wraps from the night before.
“It is going to be a whole different story when we are in the Hydro.
“It is sold out, not far off 10,000 Scots going mad, under the bright lights, and on television across the world.
“That is where it counts and matters.
“We kind of do know each other but I do not think that is going to play a factor in the fight.
“It will be who is prepared better and who is simply the better fighter that comes away victorious.
“He believes it is him, I believe it is me and, on Saturday night, we find out.”
Share