Tough-talking Lee McGregor pulls no punches ahead of ring return

Lee McGregor is back in the ring tonight in East Kilbride

It's a crying shame this affable 27-year-old has only been seen in the boxing ring on four occasions in the past two-and-a-half years.

A former British and European bantamweight champion, McGregor, now operating at super featherweight, insists he's not prepared to be mucked about any longer.

The former Meadowbank amateur, who is promoted by Wasserman Boxing, is champing at the bit ahead of tonight's bout with Colombian Deiner Polo in East Kilbride. However, South Lanarkshire is a millions miles from where such a talented athlete should be.

"For too long I've let myself dwindle away - I've also let people do that to me," McGregor told the Evening News. "I found myself accepting that nothing was really happening and just kept quiet.

"I need to let people know that I'm not allowing anyone to keep me in the background any longer. If I've got a promoter or a trainer or whoever is not doing their job, I'm not putting up with it. There are guys out there, and I'm not meaning this in an arrogant way, who couldn't lace my gloves who are getting bigger and better opportunities and it's not right.

"It's as simple as that. I know I can do my talking with my hands. I'm one of the best fighters in the world, people forget I've been European champion.

"I've got that hunger back. I've never really had any anger because I've always been quite laid back and have spoken well in the media or in front of the cameras, but that's changing. I'm not putting up with it. I know I am better than this but it's the position I'm in and I have to deal with it. I know I belong in big fights. On Friday I've got a wee bit of a point to prove and show people just how good I really am."

A former stablemate of former undisputed super lightweight world champion Josh Taylor, McGregor's career hasn't exactly panned out the way he'd hoped these past couple of years. That frustration has been fuelled by limited opportunities as he bids to climb the ladder once more following his IBO world title loss to Mexican Erik Robles at Meadowbank 15 months ago. He revealed he considered throwing in the towel until a call out of the blue from reigning WBA champion Nick Ball in August. The Liverpudlian is favourite to defend his crown against US opponent Ronny Rios in front of his home fans tomorrow night.

"I've always been training but then something maybe clicked about five or six weeks ago when I got a message from Nick's coach to see if I wanted to go down and spar with them," McGregor explained. "So, doing that has given me that bit between my teeth again. That elite work, world-class sparring again has just given me that motivation. I don't mean any disrespect but when you spar with guys below you, your standards do drop, not intentionally.

"Prior to going down to Liverpool there were times when I said I'm not doing this anymore. I seriously considered just calling it a day. But I've got sponsors who have helped me through everything and I can't thank them enough. And I know I'd be lost without boxing."

McGregor is now based back in the Capital following long spells south of the border for training camps. He is thrilled to see more of partner Amber and daughter Maddie. However, more time in the ring is what he most craves.

"Now that I'm back home, all I do is literally train, eat, sleep and repeat," he said. "I don't see many people and have lost a lot of contact. But I can now my part with the school runs in the morning which has been nice.

"I've never been one to call anyone out but I need to now for the sake of my career. Any top five featherweight or super featherweight in the UK I'd fight right now. I'm ready for the big names early next year.

"Tonight's going to be hard. I've not seen one bit of footage of my opponent, don't know what his stance is, height, build or anything. I know he's got six wins and three losses and has only been stopped once, so he'll be dangerous. This is where I use my amateur experience. I travelled the world not knowing anything about who I was fighting but you just have to adapt. I wish I had a bigger fight because I feel I'm ready for it."