Keen to improve Jack McKinlay is back in the gym preparing for second pro fight
Jack McKinlay (1-0) is keen to put into practice what he’s learnt since his pro bow last September as he prepares for his next fight on February 28.
One day before the quadrennial date of February 29, Jack will be part of an octet of unbeaten prospects from the Everton Red Triangle gym in Liverpool to enter the ring at the Grand Central Hall in Liverpool on a Black Flash Promotions event.
The 30-year-old welterweight from Liverpool was an Under 20’s national champion and ABA quarter-finalist in the amateurs and is feeling relaxed and confident to begin his 2020 campaign with a win already under his belt.
“It was a good experience on my pro debut, I’ve just got to get used to the occasion, but it was good to get one under my belt and now I can push on in 2020,” he said.
“I started camp and it’s going well already. I’ve only just started training this week but I’m going to do less strength work for this one and more boxing training. I just want to be a bit looser so I can let my hands go.”
Jack ‘The Ripper’ kicked off his pro career last September with a points decision over seasoned veteran William ‘Warby’ Warburton (26-156-10), who ended the year on his 200th contest.
The debutant managed to win all four rounds against the more experienced opponent who was in his 10th year as a pro.
He claims to have learnt one valuable lesson from his inauguration already, “Not to go for the knockout,” he confessed. “If it comes, it comes. Got to not think that you’re going to blast them out of there because it doesn’t happen like that. Also, got the little gloves on so got to be careful because every shot coming back is dangerous.”
The booming Everton Red Triangle Gym have an unusual but sensible system where their events are scheduled for the entire year, meaning that fighters can plan their boxing careers around their timetable. Their next shows following February 28 will take place on May 2; July 4; September 5; and November 14.
And Jack plans to be on all of them.
“Hoping to get on all five of them and have a busy year,” he enthused. “Having the dates all there set in stone gives me peace of mind; I know with Paul [Stevenson] that he’s totally professional and the fights will be there and will take place. Sometimes in the amateurs there were lots of cancellations.
“It’s good to have that schedule to be able to organise a break or holidays between fights and you know where you stand with that. Plus, it keeps you motivated because you can’t take foot off the gas because there’s only certain weeks until the next one, so it’s good to keep you ready.”
McKinlay won 26 from 32 fights in the amateurs and established a considerable following, which he believes will continue to flourish.
“I didn’t do as well as expected with ticket sales but I think it will do better this time because people know it’s on, sometimes my amateur fights were often called off, but these are set in stone and can help me build a bigger fanbase.
“I’m not disappointed. It was just getting used to selling them and how to sell them, but it felt good meeting the people that will support you and then seeing them there on the night in the crowd knowing they’re there to see you.”
Trained by Paul Stevenson, the talented octet of fighters from the bustling Everton Red Triangle boxing club will all strive to keep their perfect records intact on the February 28 Black Flash Promotions event at the Grand Central Hall in Liverpool.
Unbeaten super-featherweight star Nick Ball (11-0) headlines the stacked show, as he prepares for expected championship opportunities this year.
Teammates consisting of middleweight Harry Woods (3-0); KO artist Andrew Cain (4-0); European bronze medalist Connor Butler (3-0-1); 24-year-old Jonathan Walsh (3-0); 2018 Senior ABA champion Bradley Strand (2-0); unbeaten Carly Skelly (2-0) will all be present on the stacked show.
Supporting cast will feature Liverpool super-middleweight southpaw James Heneghan (3-0); super-lightweight Michael Hedges (2-0); David Thompson (1-0), and hard-hitting heavyweight Karl Tierney (1-0).
Everton Red Triangle head coach Paul Stevenson commented on the event, “These shows are really gaining a reputation for boxing and excitement of the highest quality.
“People know what to expect at our shows and that is the spectacle of watching a stable full of hungry, dynamic professional fighters in the ascendancy.
“They’re all different, dangerous, highly-skilled and they’re going for the knockouts! There’s going to be some exceptional talent on display on February 28.”
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