This is the main reason I am so misunderstood on this forum. I really like McEwan and love that he went abroad and became a much better fighter than he could have been over here. He has done very well and gets tons of respect from me. However, when I say he will take a hiding I am just analyzing what I think will happen in the fight. I have the ability to separate my like/dislike for fighters with how I think a fight will go. And if I think a fighter will take a hiding, that doesn't mean I dislike him, in fact McEwan is one of my favourites. This ability is the reason why I make a lot of money betting on boxing.
In spite of Air France losing Craig's bag with all his training gear, sparring at altitude with Alfredo Angulo has been going well and the Mexican is getting some of his best ever pre-fight work. Craig will take Peter to places he's never been in a boxing ring and it will be a test of "Kid Chocolate's" character to see how he survives it. Andy Lee passed that test, but only just. Craig is a wiser boxer after that fight and is in great condition now that he's finally out of the Wildcard. McEwan to win. I might even double the bet up with Ricky Burns!
This is a very hard fight for Craig and one i advised him not to take,Grendal who did Craig spar in Edinburgh before going to Mexico to pepare? PS Wish him well from the boys in the gym please
I fancy Craigs chances in Mexico. Gary YOng tells me that the Mexicans at the gym in Mexico say he is givin Angullo a hard time so that says somethin. Pete Quillin has just got a big right but hasnt showed anything else. Qite fast but not so fast as craig.
I know you are aware of the reasons why Craig took the fight, Billy. He has only fought once in over a year now and turning down any fight was not an option. OK, we know that he could have done with more notice but that is something that he has had to face before and all boxers must put up with from time to time Anyway Craig has always wanted to fight the best and has never feared being the underdog against highly touted opposition. I will pass on your good wishes to Craig and Gary. You know that all of Team McEwan wish Ricky the best of luck on the 5th too.
I genuinely think this is a good fight for Craig as Quillin has not fought anyone who wants to win . he however does look very strong and looks as if he can punch but if your not in it you cant win it . SO GOOD LUCK TO Craig McEwan and he will never be known as a fighter who hand picked his opponent so he deserve Scotland backing not all the other crap that goes with boxer taking a chance
billy is your gym totally shut to public, or could say an amature come in for some pads and sparring and pay a fee?
oh dear. Oh deary dear. Im pretty shocked at this latest developement in Craigs career, as everyone knows Im a huge fan. What the hell is he doing though? When it was obvious that the wildcard ship had sailed as Freddie is too loved up with Pac & Khan just now, I was delighted when Craig finally returned home. Training at Billys gym? An added bonus! Craig was obviously short on fitness when he battered Andy Lee, only to gas out spectacularly & fall short at the end. All the natural talent, but needed that stamina built & like Ricky Burns, working with Nelson was going to improve him going forward too... A return home under Billys tutelage was what Craig needed IMO, & then I hear THIS??? Craig has left Billy & is now being coached by his best pal & is off overseas to fight a guy that reminds me of a young Mike Tyson after watching some vids:-( WHY??? damn I hope Im wrong cos Im sure that Craig has all the tools to become an ATG scottish fighter, but this career move is simply madness. His best pal is now his trainer? Hes inactive & fighting this guy abroad? I simply dont get it, I really dont. If Craig wins, its gonna be huge. However, its a huge ask. I hope Im wrong, but I just dont see the sense in this career move at this time. Dare I even say I think its crazy??? Gary Young FFS, no disrespect to the guy but hes a baby in this game!!! The more Im typing, the angrier Im getting! So Im going to stop now before I say something I regret!
Dunky I think you have answered your own question why has Craig taken this fight hear 2 reason his kids and wife need money xmas is around the corner and nothing coming in . now he asked his freind to help him as his trainer said he cant . now facts are facts boxing in briton 1200 pounds boxing in armerica tens of thousands now dunky what would your choice be. Now i watched four of quillin fights and he ain,t anything like tyson and in fact looks a good choice by golden boy for craig . now craig family do read these pages so how about getting behind him instead of picking stupid point to support yer pal billy nelson as it yet another case of he not with billy he shite like what been said many times dunky billy has not been in the game as you say that long ten years gary young 18 years now i not saying gary is as good as billy but give both your support as both have boxed for scotland many times and actually deserve support from fellow scots .
Dunky, McEwan doesn't have anywhere near the ability to be a Scottish great. To suggest he does is doing a disservice to the actual greats. If you had a piece of Swiss cheese the holes would represent flaws in Andy Lee's game, so to find a way to lose to him is quite bad if you're hoping to be world class nevermind a great.
Dunky, I know you are right behind Craig and your criticism is well intentioned. However, there are many factors for a boxer to take into consideration before he decides whether or not to choose a fight and there have been factors here that are not yet in the public domain. Suffice to say that Goldenboy and Craig are contracted till well into next year and he has to fulfil a quota of fights by that time. Turning big HBO fights down, even at short notice, is just not an option and those who advised him to reject this one simply don't understand the nature of the business in America. Craig was up for it right from the start and believes he was in good enough condition to be ready by November 5th. Criticism of Gary Young is misplaced. He is a very experienced boxer as a pro and an amateur. He has coaching qualifications and has worked with a variety of coaches here and in America. Craig has too and rates Gary highly. Gary has got Craig into great shape and, in spite of a lot of negativity from others, has kept his head in a good place. The sparring with Angulo is preparation he could only dream about in Scotland. FMJ has summed up very well the other issues about family and money. I certainly think it would be wrong to underestimate Peter Quillin. However, he has had a very easy progression to where he is, partly thanks to an awesome right hand but also due to the surprisingly low quality of recent opponents. he's something like 26 (23)-0-0 but has fought nobody really and had only 15 amateur fights. We have never seen how he reacts outside his comfort zone. It will be a real test for him too if Craig gives him 5 rounds like the first 5 against Andy Lee. Instead of hoping that Craig and Ricky lose badly as many Brits on this site do (though most deny it) lets look forward to some Scottish fireworks on November 5th!
****in hell my good man, calm doon! You have totally gotten the wrong end of the stick! Listen, I have been championing Craig on here for YEARS, & thanks to me and a few others moaning constantly at Buncey to get him on the boxing hour Bunce got him his big break on TV!(amazing of Bunce doing that, still thankful to him:good) Sometimes I can be TOO passionate when talking about my favourite fighters & start ranting, but its only because I thought Nelson was the best option for him, but now that Craig has went with Young, I hope Im totally wrong on this one! I just think Craig is THAT good that he should be working with a more experienced man than Young is all when hes heading overseas to fight a dangerous prospect & big puncher. Just an opinion mate, dont hate me for being honest dude.
I think Grendal you have explanation is first class and after speaking with Rab I believe that Gary Young helped trained Craig twice before with two wins . also Craig has said it best of all he needed peole around him that he can trust with his best interest at heart . now we can all be clever in hindsight but if a boxer is told he boxing his trainer has to accept this now it was clearly talked about on hear that billy nelson was going to be his trainer yet he told him not to accept it as it to dangerous deja vou billy is this why Ricky had so many meaningless fights.
