Luke McCormack believes North-East boxing fans are in for a treat when top-class international action comes to Gateshead this month.
The European Championship silver medallist is gutted to be missing Britain’s first home World Series of Boxing event of the year on Friday, February 16.
However, the 22-year-old says he is excited to be cheering on his British Lionhearts team-mates who take on the Croatian Knights at Gateshead Leisure Centre.
GB will not be short on local talent – Luke’s twin, Pat, will spearhead a home side which includes their Birtley ABC colleague and fellow European medallist, Calum French, plus Sunderland’s Kiaran Macdonald.
“It should be a really great match,” said Luke.
“It’s just a shame that my weight class does not feature on the night as I would have loved to box in WSB in the North-East.
“WSB shows are basically like pro shows so there is a lot more atmosphere with the ringwalk and everything and I reckon the fans will love it.”
Luke has already set a marker for GB and Birtley ABC by starting the WSB series with a win in Paris.
Unfortunately, his unanimous points victory at light-welterweight, against Massi Tachour, came on a 3-2 defeat by the France Fighting Roosters.
Luke said: “It’s disappointing that the team lost, but from a personal point of view, it’s great to start the year with a win.
“The lad I was up against has had more than 10 fights as a pro so he knew what he was doing and was a tough opponent.
“The tactics were to keep him at range which I did for the first three rounds.
“I mixed it up a bit after that and it got scrappy but I definitely deserved the win.
“We do a lot of gym work at GB with the strength coach and I am feeling a lot stronger within myself. Being able to mix it with an opponent like that shows I am making good progress.”
With that victory under his belt, his attention is now switched to watching his Birtley comrades following in his ring steps.
The trio made history last year when they left the Ukraine with medals at the Euros and Luke expects two Ws in Gateshead.
“I have done the business,” he said. “It’s over to Pat and Calum now to do the same when we come to the North-East.
“I always enjoy competing the WSB and I’m looking forward to coming along and supporting Pat and my club-mate Calum in the next one.”
For tickets for the WSB international, go to www.gbboxing.org.uk/tickets
Words: Roy Kelly
