Coronavirus in Scotland: Lee McGregor’s big fight night in May could be in jeopardy

Capital’s British champion worried by Covid-19 spread

Uncertainty: Lee McGregor

British and Commonwealth bantamweight champion Lee McGregor is seeking clarity over whether or not he will be defending his titles at Glasgow’s SSE Hydro in May.

The 23-year-old is set to box on the undercard as compatriot Josh Taylor puts his WBA and IBF world super-lightweight belts on the line against Thailand’s Apinun Khongsong on Saturday May 2.

However, the world of sport has been shut down for the foreseeable future due to the global coronavirus pandemic.

Some of boxing’s top promoters have acted accordingly by cancelling upcoming shows but, as of yet, McGregor is none the wiser as to whether or not it will be business as usual in just under seven weeks’ time.

“We haven’t heard anything really,” McGregor told the Evening News. “I’ve to keep on training in preparation for May 2 unless I’m told otherwise. I can’t afford to take my foot off the gas and then the fight goes ahead and I’m not ready.

“It’s frustrating. I’d be happy if it had to be behind closed doors as I just want to fight. But I think we need some clarity.

“It wouldn’t be the end of the world if it was to be postponed now because at least I wouldn’t have to go through all the nitty gritty just for there to be no fight at the end of it. There’s nothing worse preparing for a fight for it then to not go ahead. The worst thing is not knowing. I feel for the likes of Michael Conlan who was due to be fighting at Madison Square Garden next week and he has had his fight pulled.

“If I’m told I won’t be fighting then I’d still train and just enjoy it but fingers crossed it doesn’t get to that.

“But this coronavirus is serious. It’s hitting close to home now so it’s scary. People’s health and wellbeing comes first. It’s a crazy situation we’re in.”

McGregor says his epic British title triumph over Glasgow’s Kash Farooq in November has made him hungry for further success.

“I always wanted to win the Lonsdale belt ever since I started watching boxing as a wee boy,” he said. “But your goals change and I now want to go for bigger titles. I feel there is a world title there for me to win.

“I know I’m not far away. I’ve been sparring the current world champion at my weight Nordine Oubaali and I got a call the other week saying they want me to go back over to Paris to help with his preparations for his WBC fight with (Nonito) Donaire.

“So, if they didn’t think I was up to it then they wouldn’t be asking me back. But now that opportunity is up in the air too.

“The plan is to defend the British title in May and then I’ll look at European honours. I’d also love to fight Kash again so there’s a lot of options and I’m in a good place.”