Craig McEwan - What`s next?

Hi everyone, good to see that the boxing action outwith the ring on Eastside is still just as combative as inside! "Dunky`s on the ropes but he`s fighting back!"
Thought I would just give Craig`s supporters a quick update on how things are since the Vera fight.
Obviously, the result was great but Craig, being Craig, is full of self criticism about his performance, in particular regarding the number of shots Vera landed and his own inability to weaken Vera by working to his body early in the fight. There is no doubt that these are valid criticisms up to a point but I feel he is being a bit too hard on himself (Someone has posted the whole fight on youtube so you can check it out yourselves).
Firstly, this was Craig`s first ten rounder and it was fought in temperatures in the 90s and very high humidity in Vera`s home town. Although Craig coped with the conditions well and finished the fight stronger than his opponent, there is no doubt that he fought at a much slower pace than he would normally do and this could only suit Vera`s style.
Secondly, the Texan is sometimes portrayed as a punchbag with a big right hook but this is unfair. He can box a bit and is tough and durable and he proved it once again. Craig can stop opponents but he isn`t a KO specialist and went into the fight expecting to go the distance.
I feel that the slow pace allowed Vera to come in close and score, especially in the early rounds, and Vera`s power made it dangerous to work to his body from close in. Interestingly,when Craig went toe to toe with Vera (unwisely IMO!) he got the better of the exchanges and had Vera holding on in the later rounds. He also proved to all doubters that he can take big punches and shrug them off.
Craig sometimes doesn`t take into account the improving quality of his opponents at this stage in his career and gets frustrated when he can`t do in his fifteenth fight what he did easily in his fifth.
However,he has great attitude, recognises he is still learning and is back in the gym with a plan. He has identified some deficiencies in his preparation for the Vera fight and is determined to rectify them. The Wildcard was mobbed in the build up to the Pacquiao/Hatton fight and Craig feels that all the activity meant there was a lack of structure to his own preparation. He is determined that this doesn`t happen again and he is now working on a much more specific strength and fitness regime.
There were also problems with sparring, with some big planned sessions falling through at the last minute, which meant he wasn`t even able to go ten rounds straight before his first competitive ten rounder! Nobody`s fault but not good!
He and Freddy have now decided that light middleweight is his best division and he is now reducing his "walk about" weight. I expect him to be a grumpy ******* for the next few months. Don`t worry, Sally will deal with him!
Craig`s next fight is still not finalised but there is talk of Enrique Ornelas, in July, possibly on the Mayweather v Marquez bill. I saw Enrique stop Bronco McCart in Vegas a while back and he looked impressive and progressive. He will be a REAL test.
It seems there are no plans to fight in Scotland (nor Britain) in the near future though I am sure it will happen eventually. Speculation about how Craig would fair against the top British lads must remain just that but personally I feel that Brian Vera would give any of them a harder time than he gave Craig, especially in hot ,humid conditions.
I hope that has been of some interest to his wellwishers on this site. He really appreciates your goodwill and messages of support. If any of you pitch up in LA drop into the Wildcard to see him. Refuse all his requests to bring crisps and IrnBru!!!

 

Yes, Alba, off to Sherman Oaks in The Valley. Nice place but I`ll miss my holidays in Hollywood. I`ll have to drive 10 miles for my morning run up Runyon Canyon! It also means that Craig has a fair old trip to the gym every day.

 

Keiron, Craig was sent to a "nutrionist" who told him he could get down to Welterweight!!!! Fortunately nobody listened to her!
Craig will have no difficulty getting down to LM though. Trips to Ralph`s supermarket in Hollywood with him are a constant struggle, wrestling crisps and juice out of his clenched fist !! "Hmm, I wonder what they taste like."atsch He just needs a bit of self discipline as he likes a wee scran to himself!!!!
He`s one of these boxers who will not always push himself if left to his own devises but will train till he drops if he`s pushed by a coach. I think that the new training regime will really improve his strength and fitness. I`ve long argued that a more consistant, structured schedule will pay big dividends.
Lets hope I`m right!