Boxer Lee McGregor won't let go of world champion dream
The clock is ticking if Lee McGregor is to live out his lifelong dream in becoming a boxing world champion.
But it won't be through a lack of trying if he falls just short as he enters the twilight years of his career.
Although still only 28 - he turns 29 on Christmas Eve - the Capital fighter is of the mindset his opportunities to take his seat at the sport's top table are getting fewer by the day.
Having picked up a second loss when his corner threw in the towel in the fourth round of his duel with compatriot Nathaniel Collins at the Hydro in May, McGregor admits it's been a difficult six months as he plots his next move.
Securing his next outing in the ring has so far failed to come to fruition, although he is hopeful he will be back doing what he does best early in the new year.
In the meantime, McGregor has taken himself out of his comfort zone and relocated to Liverpool, renting himself a flat for the next nine months. He's loved training at home where he's been able to spend some quality time with fiancé Amber, and daughter Maddie. However, he is of the mindset short-term pain can deliver some long term - and much-needed - gains.
"I've loved every minute of being at home, being a dad, doing the school run, but I miss the 24/7 of boxing," McGregor told the Evening News. "If I'm not in the gym, I'm watching someone else sparring, or in the digs studying boxing, or watching fights on TV at the weekend.
"I've come down to Liverpool - I've just picked up the keys for my flat this week, so that's me fully invested with boxing and no distractions. The only time I'll come home is to catch up with friends and family. The gym is great down here with some top fighters so I can only benefit.
"I'm 28 now, 29 next month. I hate to say it, but it almost feels like this is the last hurrah if I want to be a world champion. I feel like I've experienced so much but, on the flip side, I'm still only 28 because I turned pro really young. I've got a wise head on my shoulders. The main focus has to be what I've always set out to do and I have to give it my best shot. I always put the work in, but I kind of feel I've been chasing my tail as nothing's been happening.
"It's hard when you're coming off a loss and your manager says he's working away trying to sort something, but nothing is being agreed. You find out it's not all sunshine and rainbows. I'm grateful to have some good people who have stuck by me but that can only happen for so long. I could easily be sitting in a pub saying 'Oh I'll be back next year', but I wouldn't do that, it's not my style and it never will be."
It would be foolish to assume McGregor would disappear into the abyss following defeat to Collins six months ago. Granted, he has had some soul-searching to do, but has never once contemplated throwing the towel in. He has revelled in some stunning victories in eight years as a professional and is hungry for more. In fact he's famished. A quick glance at his resume reads Commonwealth, British, and European bantamweight honours - and all inside 10 fights.
Now operating at featherweight, the former Meadowbank amateur is confident he can make his mark if afforded the chance.
"I need to get a win again on my record," he explained. "Once I've got that win, we can then start entering in discussions again on potential title fights. It could be the case that I come away, go behind the scenes in a smaller hall show with not much to gain financially, but if it's what I need to do to get back into the big time, then so be it.
"I'm resilient, I believe I'm good enough. It's just hard to explain. When I'm in the gym and there's no pressure, everyone will tell you I'm world level. But I've fallen at the final hurdle a couple of times, and I don't know what it is. It's going to be so much sweeter when it does happen.
"Even if I get beat on FIFA, I'm planning my revenge! But it's not as easy as that. If my manager phoned me right now and said I have two options for you - you can fight for the world title in your next fight, or you can take two fights and avenge your two losses, I'd take the chance to avenge the two losses every day of the week.
"Looking back at the Collins fight, I prepared well. I still can't put my finger on what went wrong. I had a really bad night and I'm better than that. But Nathaniel deserved it, I'm not making excuses. I got clipped with the small gloves and I never got the chance to go through the rounds. I switched off, I was too eager, I got clipped, and I paid the price.
"I've watched it back once and it was hard. I know what went wrong. There was plenty of time to work my way into the fight and I didn't give him the respect I should have. I like Nathaniel, I respect him, but I still feel it would make another big fight again.
"December is limited in what we can do but January there's a real chance I can get back out there. It doesn't bother me. I enjoyed Christmas last year after my win in Saudi. I went to Dubai, came back a big fat pig, so I've done that.
"If it means Christmas is cancelled, then so be it. I'm just so set on 2026. This is such a huge year ahead. If it doesn't go well, then it might become very difficult to achieve my lifelong dream.
"Regardless of what happens next, I will always be involved in boxing in some capacity. I do have plans to open up my own gym, I'd love to do that, but that's for later. I need to focus on my own career. I need to have a final go."