An amateur win that ages well
Connal McDonald is the underdog on Saturday, and he knows it. The Scottish cruiserweight faces Lucas Roehrig at the Copper Box Arena on a Zuffa Boxing 12 card headlined by Chris Billam-Smith against Cheavon Clarke. Roehrig is the prospect being steered by former world champion George Groves. McDonald has something in his pocket that few cruiserweights can claim.
In the 2014 Great British Youth championships final, a teenage McDonald beat a teenage Daniel Dubois, now a two-time heavyweight world champion. “The win looks great now,” McDonald said. At the time he was “borderline cocky” and walked to the ring planning to smash him.
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Respect, but no fear
McDonald remembers a tough night. Dubois looked like a superhero when he walked out, he said, built far beyond his years, and McDonald landed plenty but never saw a heavyweight champion coming. He gives Dubois full credit for what followed.
He insists the story is about mindset, not history. “I’ve come a long way from then, I’m a different boxer,” he said, “but come fight night I’ll be treating it the exact same.” As the Scottish titlist, he will be asking Roehrig to prove the hype in his Zuffa Boxing debut.
The fight streams live on Sky Sports on Saturday.
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