Ambitious Luke McCormack is a new man in more ways than one.
Not only has he ditched the ‘get-stuck-in’ approach, the 24-year-old has been forced to ditch a few pounds to operate at the new lightweight division for the 2019 World Championships.
Great Britain’s team have arrived in Russia, where Luke has his focus on contending for the rostrum.
One of three Birtley ABC stars in Ekaterinburg for the tournament which opens on Sunday, Luke is hoping to transfer the form he has displayed on the European stage over the last 12 months.
He won gold at the EU Championship last year against Italy’s Paulo Di Lernia and looked superb at the Gee Bee tournament in Finland in March when he took the title by beating Russia’s Youth Olympic Games winner Ilia Popov.
His golden run was interrupted by the excellent Sofiane Oumiha at the semi-finals of the European Games in Minsk, but McCormack hopes the style he has been developing at the English Institute for Sport in Sheffield will see him come up trumps.
“I’ve been working on my boxing and my technique, rather than getting fit and just going in there swinging,” he told punch-lines. “It’s coming together and I think it’s showing.
“I did box well and I was pleased with that.
“In the past I’ve fallen short because I’ve got into a fight.
“Now I’m thinking about not getting hit instead of looking at the floor and swinging.”
The win over Popov, the EUBC European Youth Champion, in Helsinki was something special and that should give him confidence even if he crosses swords with Oumiha again.
“I’m looking to beat that French kid, my eyes are on him,” said the Washington talent.
“I’m getting closer and closer, I had a tight fight with him last time so I think I can do him next time, definitely.”
Luke’s challenge has been made a little more difficult because he is now operating in the new lightweight division.
He had been at light-welter, weighing under 64 , but now he must get under the 63 kilo mark.
“An extra kilo is a nightmare for me, I’ve not got much spare on me,” he said. “I’ve been eating clean, no more takeaways on a weekend!”
So what are the prospects of Luke making the podium? “I have to,” he answered. “I’d love to beat the French lad for a medal.”
Sunday sees the opening ceremony and draw with the boxing getting under way on Monday at the Ekaterinburg EXPO Arena.
Words: Roy Kelly
