Craig McEwan`s steady progress

TehRileh · Nov 22, 2008

Grendal said:

Tehriley, Craig is from Wester Hailes but now lives in Hollywood and boxes out of the Wildcard Gym there, trained by Freddy Roach.
He is promoted by Goldenboy and I think he was the first British boxer on their books.
The story of how he ended up there is fairy tale stuff.
When Craig was an amateur he got a grant through SportScotland and was asked what single thing would best further his amateur carreer. Craig had long been admirer of Freddy and he told SportScotland that a visit to the Wildcard would be his choice. To his amazement they said " go for it" so a few weeks later he, and his then girlfriend Sally ( now Mrs. McEwan) pitched up in Hollywood.
Craig went along to the Wildcard, resolved to work hard and just learn from what was going on around him. After a few days he got a chance to spar. I forget who it was with but it was someone pretty good. Sally told me afterwards that after a few minutes all the boxers in the gym slowly stopped what they were doing to watch what was going on in the ring. Craig was sparring well, Sally says, though he was, no doubt, a bit loose and "novicey" though Sally could see that everyone was really impressed.
After it was finished Freddy came over and spoke to him and couldn`t believe he was an amateur from Scotland. After less than 60 seconds speaking to Freddy, the great man told him " if you ever want to turn pro, please speak to me before you talk to anyone else".
Three years later, Craig is 12-0-0 and is one of the Wildcard fixtures, on nodding terms with the likes of Pacquiao,Dela Hoya, Hopkins and Mayweather
I was in LA for his last fight , at the Home Depot Centre, and after the show we were in one of these big freight elevators going up to the exit.
Just as the doors closed, who should nip in but Antonio Margarito. There were about 50 people in the lift, all big boxing fans and you could see them all thinking " ****! Look who I`m sharing an elevator with!!"
Next thing Margarito looks up and says, "Hey Craig, Buenos tardis. Great fight tonight man!"(Craig had sparred with Margarito in 2007)
Craig of course plays Mr Cool! "hey Toni" as if this sort of thing was an every day occurance. Which, actually, it just about is now!
By the way, I see you`re a Paul Appleby fan. I knew Paul and his brother David when they were amateurs. Both great boxers and great lads.I hope Paul goes all the way. A spell at the Wildcard would benefit him too, though.
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Thanks Grendal for all the info, i know alot of guys here have a lot of respect for Craig and most thought he would edge Angulo if they fought. I will keep my eye out for him. Oh and yes big fan of appleby, seen him on sky sports a fair few times and loved his style, approach (british champ in 12 fights is impressive in my eyes in a competitive division domestically) he does have his flaws and would agree a move to a world class gym for a while would bring him on even more.

alba · Nov 22, 2008

TehRileh said:

Oh and yes big fan of appleby, seen him on sky sports a fair few times and loved his style, .
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do you think he will beat pickering?i think he will do the buissnees adn in style aswell/

stakeout · Nov 24, 2008

Grendal said:

Tehriley, Craig is from Wester Hailes but now lives in Hollywood and boxes out of the Wildcard Gym there, trained by Freddy Roach.
He is promoted by Goldenboy and I think he was the first British boxer on their books.
The story of how he ended up there is fairy tale stuff.
When Craig was an amateur he got a grant through SportScotland and was asked what single thing would best further his amateur carreer. Craig had long been admirer of Freddy and he told SportScotland that a visit to the Wildcard would be his choice. To his amazement they said " go for it" so a few weeks later he, and his then girlfriend Sally ( now Mrs. McEwan) pitched up in Hollywood.
Craig went along to the Wildcard, resolved to work hard and just learn from what was going on around him. After a few days he got a chance to spar. I forget who it was with but it was someone pretty good. Sally told me afterwards that after a few minutes all the boxers in the gym slowly stopped what they were doing to watch what was going on in the ring. Craig was sparring well, Sally says, though he was, no doubt, a bit loose and "novicey" though Sally could see that everyone was really impressed.
After it was finished Freddy came over and spoke to him and couldn`t believe he was an amateur from Scotland. After less than 60 seconds speaking to Freddy, the great man told him " if you ever want to turn pro, please speak to me before you talk to anyone else".
Three years later, Craig is 12-0-0 and is one of the Wildcard fixtures, on nodding terms with the likes of Pacquiao,Dela Hoya, Hopkins and Mayweather
I was in LA for his last fight , at the Home Depot Centre, and after the show we were in one of these big freight elevators going up to the exit.
Just as the doors closed, who should nip in but Antonio Margarito. There were about 50 people in the lift, all big boxing fans and you could see them all thinking " ****! Look who I`m sharing an elevator with!!"
Next thing Margarito looks up and says, "Hey Craig, Buenos tardis. Great fight tonight man!"(Craig had sparred with Margarito in 2007)
Craig of course plays Mr Cool! "hey Toni" as if this sort of thing was an every day occurance. Which, actually, it just about is now!
By the way, I see you`re a Paul Appleby fan. I knew Paul and his brother David when they were amateurs. Both great boxers and great lads.I hope Paul goes all the way. A spell at the Wildcard would benefit him too, though.
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Good stuff Grendal :thumbsup. I checked this thread for the latest news on Craig and was disappointed to hear of the postponement. Let him know there are quite a few fans back in the UK monitoring his progress with interest. Would be great if you could post on here as soon as you know something regarding his next fight.

TehRileh · Nov 24, 2008

reilly said:

do you think he will beat pickering?i think he will do the buissnees adn in style aswell/
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Me too i think it will either be a wide UD or mid round stopage.

alba · Nov 24, 2008

TehRileh said:

Me too i think it will either be a wide UD or mid round stopage.
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the undercard has seen afew changes.i have doe a bit on my blog mate if your intrested.

TFFP · Nov 24, 2008

Nice story Grendal.

I rate the kid, shame the fight with Angulo fell through. I think he would have opened a few eyes both sides of the pond win or lose.

alba · Nov 24, 2008

TFFP said:

Nice story Grendal.

I rate the kid, shame the fight with Angulo fell through. I think he would have opened a few eyes both sides of the pond win or lose.
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i would imagen they will be keen to get him in with vera after his performance the other night.

martin0792 · Nov 24, 2008

I hope he does well, hes got it all, boxing ability, decent dig and has the top trainer in the world along with under card fights on all the big fights in Vegas.

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Craig McEwan`s steady progress

TehRileh HUDDERSFIELD TOWN FC Full Member

alba Guess who? Full Member

stakeout Active Member Full Member

TehRileh HUDDERSFIELD TOWN FC Full Member

alba Guess who? Full Member

TFFP Guest

alba Guess who? Full Member

martin0792 The Golden Boy Full Member