What a way to step out of the shadows for Kiaran Macdonald.
Having helped rival, team-mate and friend Galal Yafai to Olympic gold, the Sunderland boxer now gets the chance in the limelight at the World Championships.
It is the opportunity of a lifetime for the 24-year-old who is part of the new-look eight-man GB team in Belgrade for the event between October 26 and November 6.
Macdonald has spent day after day, month after month, year after year, as the understudy to Yafai and, to be fair, if you are forced to play second fiddle to anyone, it is certainly no disgrace that it’s been to the brilliant Brummie.
In boxing, each country is allowed only one boxer per weight division and, for the major events, that’s been Galal, who represented Britain in Rio in 2016 and Tokyo 2021, and the big competitions in between.
But, that’s now in the past and Kiaran is in the team and, barring any mishaps, can look forward to not only the worlds, but the 2022 Commonwealth Games and the 2024 Olympics in Paris.
“It’s my first major tournament and I can’t wait,” said the Sunderland ABC star.
“It’s the biggest World Championships there has ever been and with 64 boxers per category, it’s going to harder than the Olympics.
“I’ve either boxed or sparred the best on the circuit and now I’m looking forward to testing myself at my first major.
“I’ve always said I’ll fight anyone, a fight is a fight for me, and I’m just going to try to take it as a normal tournament and do my normal thing.
“If I do that, it should not faze me.”
Working as an understudy, clearly, has its disadvantages. It means, you know, barring an injury or illness, the major star will always get the elite role.
But it has its advantages – you not only get to work with the number one on a daily basis, it opens other doors too.
Macdonald was out in Tokyo in the summer assisting both Yafai and the boxer in the division above, Peter McGrail. Sadly, McGrail exited early in Japan, but Yafai went all the way, defeating Carlo Paalam in the flyweight final at the Kokugikan Arena.
“Obviously it was a bit frustrating to be at the Olympic Games, but not competing,” he said. “But you look at the bigger picture and say this is enhancing my development.
“I think Galal will you that I probably gave him harder rounds in sparring than he had in some of his bouts in Tokyo.
“Look how well he did in bringing back an Olympic gold medal so those rounds we had were priceless to him, but they are were also priceless to me.”
Macdonald is part of a fresh GB squad with those who competed in Tokyo either taking a break or having gone pro or considering professional contracts.
Kiaran will be joined by featherweight Niall Farrell, welterweight Harvey Lambert, light-middle Harris Akbar, middleweight Lewis Richardson, light-heavy George Crotty, heavyweight Lewis Williams and super-heavy Delicious Orie.
Words: Roy Kelly
