Will this be Isaac Macleod’s time to move into the limelight?
The Sunderland welterweight and his fans will hope so.
Macleod is one of eight unbeaten hopefuls counting down the hours towards one of the most exciting boxing events of the year.
The 23-year-old is taking part in Ultimate Boxxer at the Manchester Arena on Friday night.
Macleod has won his first nine bouts as a pro, the same record as his quarter-final opponent, Oldham fighter, Andy ‘Krem de la’ Kremner.
If ‘Can Bang’ can extend that to 12 wins by the end of Friday evening then he’ll be the champ and considerably richer given there is a £50,000 prize pot.
This is a reincarnation of Prizefighter, the competition fought to a finish inside one thrill-a-minute evening.
And what a chance for Isaac.
With an incredible pedigree (the ex
-Sunderland ABC star is a former World junior silver medalist and European gold medalist) much was expected, especially as he was coached by Anthony Farnell and promoted by Frank Warren.
Those relationships fell by the wayside but coached by the excellent Graeme Rutherford and managed by Phil Jeffries life still looked good. That was confirmed by an exciting win over the unbeaten Danny Craven last September, shown by ITV.
It looked like being a key moment, but we’ve not seen him since, though the British Boxing Board of Control recognised his ability by making him a mandatory challenger for the English title.
Since his last victory he has switched camps again, joining Team Sims in Essex, and now his career is ready for take-off.
“I just want to be the best at whatever I do, that’s all I’ve ever wanted to be,” Macleod said in an interview promoting Ultimate Boxxer. “I’ve just set my mind on striving for perfection.”
And what’s going to happen in the Manchester Arena?
“100 per cent going to win the competition,” he said. “I’m not here to lose.”
The quarter-finals can be seen on Facebook page, UNILAD, from 7.15pm with 5Spike showing the climax to the tournament from 9pm on Sky channel 160.
Click here for ticket info and more about Ultimate Boxxer.
Words: Roy Kelly
