Morecambe boxer spars with world champion in Dubai training camp

A Morecambe born boxer has spoken about the honour of sparring with a huge star of the sport.

Alex MacMillan recently spent a week out in Dubai training with the current IBO middleweight title holder Chris Eubank Jr.

Eubank Jr is the son of two-division world champion Chris Eubank, and will come up against Connor Benn for a second time later this year.

The two lock horns on November 15 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London and, while no title is on the line, it is still set to be an enthralling bout and one of the most anticipated clashes of the year in British boxing.

Eubank Jr won the first fight between the pair on unanimous decision at the same venue back in April.

For MacMillan, this opportunity comes around just months after turning professional and making the ‘big sacrifice’ of moving down to London to train at McGuigan gym, owned by Shane McGuigan, son of former Sports Personality of the Year, Barry.

MacMillan told Beyond Radio: “The opportunity came about by basically just being at the McGuigan Gym.

“They were looking for sparring partners for Eubank and my name popped up due to me being a welterweight.

“They felt that my style was a great style for Eubank to spar against to prepare for the Benn fight.

“I’ve just picked up a lot of great experiences, being around the camp and seeing how Eubank does his thing.

“He’s got good people around him like Bomac [Brian McIntyre], who trains Terrence Crawford, who recently beat Canelo Alvarez to become undisputed super middleweight champion.

“Even the sparring itself, I’ve learnt so much from it and it’s shown where I’m at as well in my own career.

“I’m only a young kid, 22 years old, I've not even had my debut yet but I'm sparring that sort of level - it shows the level I’m at.

“My journey's going to be exciting.”

MacMillan will spar with Eubank Jr once again in his final weeks of preparation for the fight.

“After his training camp in Dubai, two weeks before the Benn rematch, he's coming to London to finish off his camp and I’m going to be his sparring partner for those last two weeks.

“It’s just amazing, it’s so exciting and I can’t wait to do it again and I’m just grateful to have the opportunity to showcase my skills against somebody like Eubank.

“I look forward to seeing him doing the business when he does do the rematch.

“He’s looking great, he’s sharp and they’ve got bundles of experience in his team.

“It’s going to bring him on leaps and bounds and I feel like he's going to have a better performance in this next fight against Benn due to that.”

The local lad is also looking to get some personal achievements ticked off before 2025 comes to an end, most importantly a professional debut.

“I should be getting out before the end of the year, hopefully with two fights but obviously getting my debut is the main focus at the moment.

“My team are just looking at a few shows to get me on, whether it’s televised or it’s like a small home show but it’s so exciting, looking forward.

“Being in this position and at McGuigan Gym, it’s getting my name out a lot and I'm ready to showcase my skills and get the wheels turning with my pro debut.

“Being around the team [at McGuigan Gym] is still a surreal experience, they’ve been involved in over 30 world title fights with their own fighters, numerous world champions that they have built and being around champions, day in and day out at the gym is going to progress me so much more.”

MacMillan is still looking for support in the way of sponsorships.

“I’ve got a few sponsors now, but I’m still looking for more to jump on and help me on this journey to the top.”

Those interested can contact him on his social media pages.

MacMillan is one of several local boxers making a name for themselves at the moment, so too is his older brother Reece.

Isaac Lowe, Birchall brothers Nelson, Leighton and William, Walter Fury - cousin of ‘The Gypsy King’ Tyson - Troy Gallagher, Owen Kirk and Niall Fielding are just some of the North Lancashire-bred fighters who have had big success in the last couple of years.

This is in no small part down to the number of boxing clubs in the area that have helped nurture the fighters and get them to where they are today.

Coastal Boxing Morecambe, MAD Boxing Morecambe, Lancaster Boxing Club, Lancaster University Boxing Society and - further afield - also MacMillan’s former gym JR Gym in Lostock Hall, Preston. 

Listen to MacMillan’s interview in full on Beyond Radio’s Saturday Sport Show from 9am on Saturday, October 11.