Craig McEwan - What`s next?

Dunky McCafferty · May 31, 2009

Thanks for the info Grendal my good man, somehow I didnt spot this post when it was made, just spotted it just now!
You will probbly know this Grendal anyway, but the Sunday Post devoted almost a full page to their Craig McEwan interview, I just happened to come accross it by accident as I was in my ma's house one day & picked up the paper, & lo & behold there was the big interview! Damn nice of the Sunday Post doing that.
I would have loved to post the interview, but as my ma hadnt read the paper yet I wasnt given permission to rip out the McEwan interview understandably enough
Anyway I forgot about it for a couple of days, & by the time I asked here if she still had the paper she had already thrown it out as she does with all her weekly papers into the big blue recycling binatsch

But just to let you know the Sunday Post gave Craig plenty of coverage, I was well happy, long may it continue:good

TFFP · May 31, 2009

Dunky, how far do you believe McEwan is going?

Dunky McCafferty · May 31, 2009

TFFP said: ↑

Dunky, how far do you believe McEwan is going?
Click to expand...

All the way TFFP, all the way to a respected world title. & that aint just scottish bluster. McEwans did it the right way, & the hard way I believe packing his bags & moving to the states. He always had amazing talent, theres a clip of him in the amateurs on YT looking awesome. he just needed the right people to harness that talent & improve him, & went & found them. I cant speak highly enough of Craig, I utterly admire him for what hes done in his attempts to be the best he can be.
I know I can be biased towards scottish fighters, but TFFP. I firmly believe Craig has the potential to be an awesome fighter.
I mean hes over there being trained by the great Freddie, sparring with the likes of Margarito & of course BHop, its that kind of experience that means hes always learning whilst hes earning.
Hes not the finished article yet, but hes damn close to it IMO. The way he slips punches is Buchananesque, his switchhitting bamboozles & befuddles, hes equally comfortable throwing from the leftie stance or orthodox. Hes a nightmare to work out, the only thing people could question about Craig is his power, & Freddie has already said hes working on it, coupled with a move down to LM & I believe Craig cn seriously go onto become an ATG scottish fighter.
Oh & I forgot to say he proved he has a solid chin too, cos when Vera did land from time to time in the fight, Craig didnt flinch.

Its just my opinion of course, but I sincerely believe theres a lot more to come from Craig McEwan, as the Carpenters once sang- Its only just begun...

Grendal · May 31, 2009

Yes Dunky, saw the article. It was a good one. The Post is one of the very few who give him any coverage. I think the journalist is called Scott Fyffe. Good lad!!
Just spoke to Craig and he`s really pissed off that Angulo lost to Cintron last night. He felt that Angulo`s style would have suited him but Kermit got to him first!
Anyway they`ve started him on the diet, lots of protein drinks and steaks it seems and he`s up at 5am training with Amir Khan and that big cage fighter Andre somebody with the filed teeth. Think its track work at UCLA tomorrow.
They`re trying to get Enrique Ornelas next. I think he`s North American Champion but I`m not sure if this would be a title fight. No doubt some would say that Ornelas is America`s answer to Willie Limond but I think he`s pretty good and his style would give Craig problems.
I agree with your general assessment above and I`m glad you noticed Craig`s strong chin. Before the fight the American "experts" were saying that if Craig did what Andy Lee did then Vera would crush him too. Yet for parts of the bout Craig and Vera went toe to toe and Craig got the better of the exchanges. If Craig was Mexican they`d be singing his praises for that, but over there they will not accept that a European middleweight can be tough.
As you say, Craig is not the finished article yet and I`ve no doubt there will be ups and downs in the future, but, like you, I`m certain that he has the potential to win and hold a top world title.

Grendal · May 31, 2009

GP, Craig has often been called a lazy trainer but that is too simplistic. If you look at his last few fights on youtube you`ll see he outlasts all his opponents and he tends also to work harder than them during the fight. However he has spent a lot of time training alone in recent months and in these circumstances many athletes find it hard to " self motivate" and although they think they`re working hard the sessions will never be as effective as they should be. The Wildcard has a few boxers who do the opposite and who train themselves "to destruction" which is even worse. Its a kind "binge training!"
As I`ve said before, training needs to be "structured" and Craig is now getting this in place. I believe that we`ll see a big improvement over the next few months as long as that structure remains intact.
On the few occasions I`ve trained with him over the last 2 or 3 years I`ve been impressed by his willingness to work hard and his capacity to do that work. I`m sure your coach has come across boxers like that, guys who seem laid back or even lazy but who will give their all when the tough questions are asked.
People used to look at Craig in the amateurs and say that he would never succeed as a pro. He was too indisciplined, too flash, his defence was too loose, he wasn`t tough enough, he was too lazy. But the first rule in boxing is -amateur and professional are totally different sports. Its about how you make the transition thats important. Some qualities that make you a good amateur will make you a bad pro. Craig is doing well because he realised this right at the start and re invented himself as a boxer. He kept all the useful amateur qualities and rejected the rest. He is now working hard to develop all the other stuff he needs as a pro but never had as an amateur. It remains to be seen how well he will do but , like our friend Dunky, I think he will make it.

Dunky McCafferty · May 31, 2009

Grendal said: ↑

Yes Dunky, saw the article. It was a good one. The Post is one of the very few who give him any coverage. I think the journalist is called Scott Fyffe. Good lad!!
Just spoke to Craig and he`s really pissed off that Angulo lost to Cintron last night. He felt that Angulo`s style would have suited him but Kermit got to him first!
Anyway they`ve started him on the diet, lots of protein drinks and steaks it seems and he`s up at 5am training with Amir Khan and that big cage fighter Andre somebody with the filed teeth. Think its track work at UCLA tomorrow.
They`re trying to get Enrique Ornelas next. I think he`s North American Champion but I`m not sure if this would be a title fight. No doubt some would say that Ornelas is America`s answer to Willie Limond but I think he`s pretty good and his style would give Craig problems.
I agree with your general assessment above and I`m glad you noticed Craig`s strong chin. Before the fight the American "experts" were saying that if Craig did what Andy Lee did then Vera would crush him too. Yet for parts of the bout Craig and Vera went toe to toe and Craig got the better of the exchanges. If Craig was Mexican they`d be singing his praises for that, but over there they will not accept that a European middleweight can be tough.
As you say, Craig is not the finished article yet and I`ve no doubt there will be ups and downs in the future, but, like you, I`m certain that he has the potential to win and hold a top world title.
Click to expand...

As always Grendal, its a pleasure hearing from you, & keep us updated on all things Craig & McEwan! Trust me, me & my pals are always on the lookout for any info about him, & thats the truth:smoke
Just keep reminding Craig that hes making a lot of scots proud Grendal, cos he is. Scottish boxing needs him, hes carrying the flag for scottish boxing now!

billy nelson · Jun 1, 2009

dunky dont tell anyone but i agree with your assesment of craig's career prospects,natural talent and being brought along steadily whilst learning.

HeavyT · Jun 1, 2009

I beleive he has what it takes, his performance against Vera was really good, and being hard on himself is great as it'll push him that bit harder.

pathmanc1986 · Jun 1, 2009

training with andrei arlovski and amir khan in the hollywood hills. now theres a random one

mcewan looks like the real deal, saw him take some decent shots v vera and show good stamina,would question the power tho at this stage, but in fairness it sounds like hes working on it. he seems to be developing physically too into a more athlete like build and that'l help him too

also arlovski. a 240 pound heavy, ridiculously fit and moves like a lightweight with awesome ko power. if freddie can teach him to hide his somewhat questionable beard he could be entertaining

GPater11093 · Jun 1, 2009

Grendal said: ↑

GP, Craig has often been called a lazy trainer but that is too simplistic. If you look at his last few fights on youtube you`ll see he outlasts all his opponents and he tends also to work harder than them during the fight. However he has spent a lot of time training alone in recent months and in these circumstances many athletes find it hard to " self motivate" and although they think they`re working hard the sessions will never be as effective as they should be. The Wildcard has a few boxers who do the opposite and who train themselves "to destruction" which is even worse. Its a kind "binge training!"
As I`ve said before, training needs to be "structured" and Craig is now getting this in place. I believe that we`ll see a big improvement over the next few months as long as that structure remains intact.
On the few occasions I`ve trained with him over the last 2 or 3 years I`ve been impressed by his willingness to work hard and his capacity to do that work. I`m sure your coach has come across boxers like that, guys who seem laid back or even lazy but who will give their all when the tough questions are asked.
People used to look at Craig in the amateurs and say that he would never succeed as a pro. He was too indisciplined, too flash, his defence was too loose, he wasn`t tough enough, he was too lazy. But the first rule in boxing is -amateur and professional are totally different sports. Its about how you make the transition thats important. Some qualities that make you a good amateur will make you a bad pro. Craig is doing well because he realised this right at the start and re invented himself as a boxer. He kept all the useful amateur qualities and rejected the rest. He is now working hard to develop all the other stuff he needs as a pro but never had as an amateur. It remains to be seen how well he will do but , like our friend Dunky, I think he will make it.
Click to expand...

i never said he wasnt fit my trainer said he was super fit just lazy but you corrected me and he does have good stamina

Dunky McCafferty · Jun 1, 2009

billy nelson said: ↑

dunky dont tell anyone but i agree with your assesment of craig's career prospects,natural talent and being brought along steadily whilst learning.
Click to expand...

Your secrets safe with me Billy:good

johnp · Jun 2, 2009

I also think being away from Scotland and our bevvy culture will stand him in good stead.

punk · Jun 2, 2009

How do you guys think Mcewan would get on fighting the major belt holders in light middle/middle/and super middle divisions? I think he could step up and give Carl Froch some serious problems.

HeavyT · Jun 3, 2009

He's nowhere near ready for Froch if you ask me...

Dunky McCafferty · Jun 3, 2009

johnp said: ↑

I also think being away from Scotland and our bevvy culture will stand him in good stead.
Click to expand...

Exactly.

however, it isnt just scottish fighters who have a problem with the drink. OK, so I know we have the most high profile problem drinker in Scott Harrison.
England, Wales & Ireland are steeped in drinking culture too, I can think of fighters from all over these islands who like a good bevvy.
It aint just a scottish problem, just ask Hattons legions of fans who seen him turn up to fight pac lloking pale & gaunt without his usual amazing build that he used to have for weigh ins, deep down everyone knows the drink killed him.
Im just using hatton as the most recent example, but there are more of course, like Kirkland Laing etc.
Dont think its just our nation who have problems, cos booze isnt exclusive to Scotland & our boxers, thats for sure.

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