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Inverness boxer Jake MacDonald is ready to turn professional


By Andrew Henderson

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Highland Boxing Academy athlete Jake MacDonald’s move into the professional ranks is a special moment for the club, says head coach Liam Foy.

Highland Boxing Academy's Jake MacDonald has turned professional with Kynoch Boxing. Picture: David Rothnie
Highland Boxing Academy's Jake MacDonald has turned professional with Kynoch Boxing. Picture: David Rothnie

MacDonald has signed with Kynoch Boxing, and becomes the second boxer at the club to turn professional after Ben Bartlett signed with Northern Sporting Club in Aberdeen.

The welterweight had a sparkling amateur career since joining HBA as a youngster, and Foy believes he is ready to step up.

“He put us on the map when we were starting off, he has won various versions of the Scottish title, but notably the Scottish Open twice,” Foy recalled.

“He won every title that there is to win in Scotland – novices, intermediates, Scottish Open and North District. That’s the quartet, there are no other titles in Scotland, so he has a good pedigree.

“What’s so special about it is that in every single bout, and every single title, he has done it from being a kid just walking through the door at the club.

“This is where we’re at now in his journey.

“I think this will be his 10th year involved in boxing, and it’s the club’s 10th anniversary this year as well, so everything has come full circle and it seems so perfect.”

Exactly when and how MacDonald will be able to make his professional debut is still up in the air but as things stand, a streaming show online in April or May is the leading contender.

Whenever he is able to step between the ropes again, Foy has no doubt that MacDonald’s work ethic will mean he is as ready as he can be.

“The reality is that when you’re competing at the level Jake has been at, the commitment and work that you have to put in during training is very similar to that of a professional boxer,” Foy insisted.

“As they come up through the levels, it’s only natural that their training becomes more intense, but I’ve always said over the years that Jake’s conduct and approach to training – even at a young age – has always had the hallmarks of a professional boxer.

“The way that he trained, his consistency with being in the gym but also the effort that he put in out of the gym, he was always pushing himself to his limits.

“So you could see that with that level of work ethic an commitment it would bode well for the future, and we were right to think that.”


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