Figher hanging up the gloves-last fight was in England

[Mark Sanders]

MacKillop senses end is near
Published: Monday, 28 January 2008, 8:55AM
Fighters who can acknowledge for themselves that their time in the sport is coming to an end are a rare breed indeed.

Too often in this brutal business men fight on either through financial necessity or because they feel they can turn back Old Father Time.

Thankfully it seems that Ian MacKillop is part of that rare breed.

He may be just 30 but the Canadian light-middle senses that the final bell is nigh, in terms of his own fighting career at least. But boxing is in his blood and he is already carving out a career for himself as a trainer.

MacKillop was once a hot contender at welterweight but for various reasons has now become something of a 'gatekeeper' for rising stars of the future.

Derek Bilton caught up with him after his recent bout with Adnan Amar in Staffordshire.

ITV: Ian I saw your fight with Adnan Amar here in England the other week. You were stopped in that one but I understand your preparation was not the best?

IM I took the fight with Adnan two days beforehand. I had decided to stop boxing last summer but when this fight came up I said what the hell. I love to fight and I love to travel. Also, looking at Adnan's record it seemed as though he had never fought anyone and that he had very little power. I thought if I caught him early I might be able to KO him.

ITV: Amar is a decent prospect over here in the UK but I know you have been in with better men. How highly do you rate him?

IM During the course of my career I have been in the ring with many top fighters. I have also worked as a sparring partner for a few world champions such as Vernon Forrest, Shane Mosley, Rafeal Ruelas, Verno Phillips, Kermit Cintron, Otis Grant and Joachim Alcine. I would not rate Amir as high as any of these guys, but at 24 years of age he is still quite young. He is very big for a welterweight and he had much more power than his record would indicate. He had good speed and was very hard to hit. The Ingles have a style that you don't see anywhere else in the world and if Adnan stays with them throughout his career I could see him going places.

ITV: You first came to my attention when you boxed Kermit Cintron in Atlantic City back in 2002. You had only lost one fight and I remember some sports books over here had you as a slight favourite for that fight. You were stopped in two rounds of course. Would you say Cintron is the hardest puncher you have ever faced?

IM I would say that Kermit Cintron is definitely the hardest puncher I have ever faced. Vernon Forest also was a very hard puncher but two years after fighting him (Cintron) I went to work as a sparring partner and he is one of the nicest guys I've met in the sport.

ITV: And can you see him reclaiming a version of the welterweight title down the line, even though the division is one of the hottest in boxing right now?

IM He will be a champ for sure. Anybody he hits he can KO. His right hand was deadly.

ITV: Looking back at your own career now Ian what would you regard as your proudest moment?

IMMy proudest moment would have to be my win over Shannan Taylor (to win the vacant IBO Inter-Continental light-middleweight title). I fought on the undercard when he fought Mosley at Caesars Palace and so it felt like my career had come full circle when I boxed him.


ITV: You are only 30 so if this is the end what will you do next? Would you like to stay in the sport in some capacity?

IM I have been training a few fighters here in Montreal and I really enjoy it. I think I'll end up being a better trainer then I was a fighter. The sport of boxing has given me so much I will be involved for the rest of my life.


ITV: Finally with the wealth of experience you have what would be the one piece of advice you would give an aspiring pro just starting out?

IM If I was to give advice to a young fighter it would be to align yourself with good people, and stay true to your commitments. Having the proper training and promotion makes all the difference in a young fighter's career. Mick Hennessey is probably the most sincere promoter I've met. He genuinely cares about his fighters in and out of the ring. Even though I was on the losing side when I fought on his card he treated me with more respect than any other promoter. He is truly a good guy. I love England and had a blast both times I've been there. Thanks to everyone for making me feel at home.

[Box Office]

Good luck to you Mackillop!

[whicker]

He seemed happy enough after his fight in Burton, he was sitting ringside happily chatting away to an attractive young blonde!