CALVIN McCord is one of Ayrshire and Scotland’s most promising young fighters, and he is looking to maintain his unbeaten professional record against Marek Laskowski as the Scottish Lightweight Title goes on the line at Trump Turnberry on March 2nd.
Here, we speak to the 22-year-old about his upbringing in the region, his journey to this upcoming fight at Trump Turnberry, entertaining the Ayrshire crowd and his aim to do the area proud.
How did you first get into boxing?
“I started off at Doon Valley Boxing Club in Dalmellington, and that’s where I still am today. It’s a smashing club. I’d say it’s one of the best amateur clubs in Scotland. There’s a few pros in the gym now as well as me. My big brother Martin started boxing, and I wanted to follow in his footsteps. I was seven when I first went there, so I’ve been boxing for 15 years now. You couldn’t fight properly until you were 11, so I had a few exhibitions first and then when I got to fight for real I just loved it. I just knew straight away that this was for me, and luckily enough both my mum and dad loved me doing it too. My mum sits with her head in her hands now when she’s watching me fight, but when I was wee it was a great way of keeping me out of trouble and off the streets. My big brother had one or two wee issues with his temper when he was younger, and boxing put discipline into him that totally changed him, and it’s been great for me too.”
You had an extensive amateur career, how did that help you?
“I had 110 amateur fights and won around 70 of them. I fought in five British Championships too. I won my semi-final every time and got beat in the final every time unfortunately, but coming away with five silver medals was still great. I got a bronze medal too in the Tammer tournament, which is in Finland. That used to be an Olympic qualifying event, so I had a great grounding before making the leap to the pro ranks. I was always more of a professional-style fighter, and my style isn’t as suited to the points scoring system in the amateur ranks. It’s been great for me since turning pro. I’m always ready for a tear up, so if people come to see me, they will definitely be in for an exciting and entertaining night.”
Turnberry's grand ballroom will be transformed into a boxing venue.
Are you looking forward to fighting in such an iconic venue?
“I can’t wait. I’ve sold about 300 tickets on my own, so Turnberry isn’t going to know what has hit it! It’s going to be absolutely great having so many people from Ayr coming up to such a prestigious venue. Marek actually beat my big brother in his fourth pro fight. I’ve never watched him though. I know he’s a southpaw, but my coach has watched him and is giving me things to work on. My brother has left it to my coaches, but he reckons that I’ll destroy him.”
You are an electrician to trade, how do you balance work with training?
“I still train at Doon Valley, but I also train at a local cross-fit gym called ULT. I’m there at six o’clock every morning, then I go to my work and then I’m at Doon Valley at night or out running. It’s hard going to juggle everything, but hopefully in the near future I can drop down to three days a week and that will help enormously. One day, I’m obviously hoping the boxing takes over and I don’t have to work anymore.”
Where do you run in Ayrshire?
“I’m lucky where I live that there are plenty of great routes, and I have five or six different runs that I regularly do to avoid boredom setting in. I could start at Kincaidston, run down round about Forehill and Belmont, so I change it up all the time to keep it fresh.”
How much will it mean to you having home support?
“Every fight I’ve had so far, the support has been excellent. The people in Ayrshire have been unreal with me. I feel that it is snowballing now. People are hearing that it is a good night coming to watch me fight, that I’m doing well, and that is making more and more people come out and support me. As well as the people I’m bringing, I hope that the local people get behind me again at Trump Turnberry and I will be looking to do them all proud.”
What style of fighter can people expect to see?
“I always liked Ricky Hatton, Joe Calzaghe, Chris Eubank and Nigel Benn. I really like the old school fighters. When you look at someone like Josh Taylor doing as well as he is too, then it inspires you. It’s great to see someone from Scotland doing so well. It really drives you on. In terms of fighters who are in the mix just now, I’d say I’m quite like Lewis Ritson. I’d love to think I’m similar to Ricky Hatton in terms of my style, so if you enjoy watching that style of boxing, then you are going to enjoy this fight. I don’t want to get too far ahead of myself, but my aim in the next couple of years is to win a British title and move on from there.”
Calvin McCord takes on Marek Laskowski for the Scottish Lightweight Title at Trump Turnberry on March 2nd. For tickets and details of an overnight stay package that is available, visit www.wildcardevents.co.uk or call 07554377761.
Visit Trump Turnberry's website here to find out more about this iconic venue: www.trumphotels.com/turnberry
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