Lee McGregor reckons he will struggle to keep his emotions in check if he becomes world champion.
The Edinburgh boxer takes on Mexican Erik Robles at Meadowbank on Friday night with the IBO super-bantamweight title up for grabs.
It has been a hellish two years for the former European champion who has struggled with injuries and seen numerous fights called off. But the 26-year-old believes it will be all worthwhile once he gets the belt around his waist.
“These last 18 months have been the worst times of my life. I’ve broken down many times and said I can’t carry on,” he said.
“Fight dates were falling through, I was getting let down all the time, I was spending money I didn’t have to travel to and from London and then accommodation. I was training, putting my body through hell with no end goal. I felt like I was suffering. But we said there would be light at the end of the tunnel and I hoped and prayed that would be the case.
“For us to now be here in fight week, achieving a dream of mine as a young boy becoming a world champion in my hometown, coming back to Edinburgh for the first time since my debut, is surreal.
“I think it will be an emotional night. There’s a lot built up inside me. I’ve spent so much time away from my family, seen my gym mates winning world titles and having the best nights of their life. I was there knowing that was my dream and I was on the cusp of it. Then from nowhere I found myself not knowing what was happening.
“This is a whole new chapter and it starts on Friday night and I’m excited to get going. Once it’s out the way there’s going to be a lot of emotions. It’s going to be special and an opportunity to feel human again and be normal.
“I’m in a good place right now. I might be a bit emotional in terms of thinking about my daughter and my family and what I’ve been through and what’s at stake. But I really do believe this is a good thing and I’m so focused.”
McGregor’s close pal and former world champion Josh Taylor will be there on the night to offer his backing.
He added: “He’s going to be at the fight which is nice. That means so much.”
