Morecambe boxer on “biggest sacrifice yet” as he turns professional

A Morecambe-born boxer has turned professional and is now training at one of England’s most prestigious gyms.

Alex MacMillan was signed, and will be trained, by Shane McGuigan and Josh Pritchard of McGuigan Gym, based in London, last month.

McGuigan is the son of former WBA featherweight and Sports Personality of the Year, Barry McGuigan.

Shane McGuigan and Josh Pritchard have previously worked with current IBF heavyweight champion Daniel Dubois, as well as the likes of Chris Billam-Smith, Carl Frampton and Josh Taylor.

MacMillan is making the move to the capital after a decorated amateur career which saw him become a six-time regional champion of, and captain, the North West Region.

His most recent regional success was in April, which rounded off his amateur career.

Speaking about how turning professional came about, he said: “Based off all my amateur experience and my weight, I was invited down [to McGuigan Gym] in early June to spar Lee Cutler.

“I did really well and they invited me back down, that led to there being a chat about the next steps of my career.

“Shane, Josh and I sat down and talked about me wanting to go professional and that’s how it all began.”

MacMillan begins regular training with the gym in August.

“I’ve had to quit my full time job and things like that to move down to London and follow my dreams.

“It’s a massive sacrifice, I’ve had sacrifices already in boxing but this is my biggest one yet.

“The gym is so professional, you can see why it’s one of the best in the country - well, the world really.”

MacMillan met Barry McGuigan in recent weeks as well as boxing legend Roberto Duran earlier this year and said that to have received ‘great feedback’ off McGuigan ‘felt surreal’.

“Getting little bits of knowledge from them is so important’’, he said.

‘’They’ve seen and done so much so I’m just like a sponge and soaking it all up and applying it to myself.”

MacMillan formerly trained at JR Gym in Preston, who he says ‘made me the boxer I am today’.

“Without Johnney [Roye, JR Gym coach] and everyone there, I wouldn’t be in the position I am now, I owe a lot to them. They built me up from a young kid to turning pro so I can’t thank them enough for what they’ve done.

“It’s hit hard, leaving the guys at JR Gym because they’re family to me, but I know it’s for the bigger picture, my career and my future.

“I’ll miss them and everyone on the amateur scene, because those experiences at North West Region build up and they’re what you need to become a pro.”

His older brother, Reece, is also a professional boxer so the transition has been made slightly easier, and he feels he can ‘ask him anything’ about the pro game.

“We support each other in whatever we do and whatever choices we make,’’ said Alex.

“He’s done it all before and I’m following in his footsteps so all the experiences he’s had, he can pass down to me and that’s helping me a lot.”

“I’ve got full confidence in myself - I want to go all the way and I want to be a world champion, in one weight class or multiple.

“Those goals are the bigger ones, short term I want to get my pro debut done and then next year start going for titles and climb the ladder from then on.

“I’d love to win a British title just in memory of my uncle Andrew, who died when I was 14, he was a massive boxing fan and he always wanted me and Reece to win a British title so that’s one thing I’ll hope to do for him going forward.

“I’ve got great people around me who will guide me in the right way towards my dreams.’’

Alex MacMillan is currently looking for additional sponsorship to help support him in his move to London.

Those interested can contact him on his social media pages.