'If I can beat Grim Reaper, I can beat anyone' - McAllister by Imran Azam Aug 8th 2008

Lee McAllister believes by teaming up with Tommy Gilmour he can achieve his world title ambitions. The 26-year-old admitted the promise of television exposure made signing a three-year contract with the Glasgow based promoter/manager a formality. Nicknamed the ‘Aberdeen Assassin' he hopes to fight again in October. Currently he holds both the (truly awful - Ed.) WBU light welterweight and lightweight titles. Previously managed by the Ingles [Dominic and John] McAllister admitted to becoming ‘stale' in Sheffield and pointed out that he had only fought once in the last year. He said: “I don't want to say anything bad about them [Ingles] as I had great times with them. But I needed to move on. I'm only 26 and I'm ready to shine. I can fight and I can box, I've got the talent, the ability and the charisma. I've got the full package and I want my name in bright lights. “I spoke to Tommy and it felt right. He has plenty of experience and taken numerous fighters to world championship level. If he can't take me to the top, no one can. I should have been top man in Scotland a long time ago.” Four years ago, in his own words, the fighter admitted to ‘cheating death' when he suffered serious multiple injuries in a motorbike accident whilst on holiday in Greece. He went onto make a full recovery and believes such a near death experience can only benefit him when inside the ring. McAllister added: “If I was able to beat the Grim Reaper, I don't think anyone has got much chance against me in the ring. I want to be kept busy and any fighter will tell you, you improve by fighting regularly.” Addressing the assembled media, Tommy Gilmour stated the latest addition to his fighting stable has not had the necessary media exposure his talent deserves. He said: “Any one who can put 2,000 bums on seats on a non-televised show deserves to be in a bigger movie. By signing for me he will for the first time get TV coverage and that will open many doors for him. He's at the stage of his career where he needs greater projection. I want to make him a name outside of the north east of Scotland. “Signing Lee is similar to my experience with the Prodigal Son, Pat Clinton. He wanted that bit extra. He wanted the world championship. He went down to England but came back to Scotland because he wanted recognition by his own people. “You can't knock the Ingles but I don't want Lee to be a big name in Sheffield. I want him to be a big name in his own country.”

Go back Comment on this article | Send to a friend | Print

There are no comments. Click here to be the first who comment on this article.