Making a comeback on Thursday; the opponent is still TBA. Willie turned 40 in February. He walked away from the sport in 2016 after having a nervous breakdown (starting wheErn he was "on top", at his career's late peak as Commonwealth and BBBofC super lightweight champion in 2014) and suffering his fifth loss - and fourth by stoppage - against Tyrone Nurse. All of those losses have been to quality operators ("Amazing" Alex Arthur, Amir "King" Khan, Érik "El Terrible" Morales, and Anthony "Million Dolla" Crolla" have all held world titles, and the aforementioned Nurse would make three successful British title defenses before losing to Jack Catterall and embarking upon his current four-loss skid) but they did pretty demonstrably cap his abilities, showing that his ceiling was a domestic one...and that was in his prime. He joined with a new coach, Francis Gilluley, and credits him with reigniting the spark and making him want to compete again. He was supposed to headline a BoxNation show last August in Glasgow against Irish southpaw Darragh Foley, but was replaced by Chris Jenkins. The fact that he is now insisting on making this return happen ten months later indicates that he is serious. Hopefully that was time spent in the gym keeping in nick, and he's able to produce some decent form...although I'm skeptical given he's now forty and coming off such a layoff, and that on the heels of a brutal & bloody affair w/ Nurse. His effort that night was game as ever, but physically he was already looking more than half shot. He was also having a bit of trouble making the light welter limit down the stretch, IIRC - yet he's targeting 140lbs again in his return, apparently. Limond vs. Nurse: This content is protected
I really liked Willie Lomond as a boxer, however he is well past it now. He tried coaching and promoting a think plus a joiner to trade? However he needs to let the game go and find something else regardless of how hard that will be.
Why is he doing it? Nurse beat whatever was left out of him. Dangerous comeback but I guess he might need a few quid for whatever reason.
Trying to get a final fight with Burns, interesting to see how he does in his next fight. Great boxer Limond.
in his day he was a great boxer - would have went even further with more power. Sad to see him still going when far past his best
From the horse's mouth itself, mate. Check the recent interview Willie did with the Daily Record. He didn't use that exact phrase but he didn't have to; what he described going through has all the hallmarks of what is often termed a nervous breakdown (and that isn't even a precise medical diagnosis, but rather a catch-all for a number of different problems involving mental health issues affecting one's ability to function in their job or personal life). He used language such as "I was right on the brink" and "it was all too much, I was overwhelmed", "had to walk away from the sport for my sanity and the good of my wife & kids" etc. I really don't think a knee-jerk reaction like yours is all that healthy tbh, assuming I've read your tone correctly (if not I apologize) - getting up in arms just at the mere suggestion that a boxer you like (or a mate of yours, as the case may be) might be having psychological troubles only further reinforces the negative stigma that desperately needs erasing. (see the Connor Law situation) As somebody that has long struggled with my own MH crap I find it encouraging to see a guy like Willie come out and talk about it publicly (even if only alluding briefly in circumspect fashion) and show people that every tunnel has a lighted end.
Opponent is Nathan Hardy of Yorkshire, btw (not yet up on BoxRec), record of 9-25-4 (3). Fairly safe pick for a return, you'd figure - although he did upset a couple of unbeaten prospects last year. After this Limond has confirmed he wants a Ricky Burns fight before he retires for good.
Not at all, if that's the case I am glad he came public with his trouble's. We have all been there at some stage whether we admit it or not. I guess I misinterpreted your post as taking the **** out of Limond for that I apologise.
I know Nathan, he's nothing special but at this point in willies career he could come and give him a hard time, Nathan is quite tough and if he gets a bit of confidence he will go for Willie. Every dog has his day and Willie has had his, unless he has money problems, what's the point in making a comeback at 40 yrs. He was a fantastic fighter in his day was limond.
Unfortunately it would appear St. Andrew's Sporting Club are not streaming this card. https://www.facebook.com/StAndrewsSportingC/?epa=SEARCH_BOX
