BoxRec

NICK MacDonald is hoping to make a record-breaking return to amateur boxing after being advised to leave the professional ranks, writes Alec Doyle.

The 10-time ABA champion quit Vauxhall Motors ABC to turn professional last autumn, with his sights set on a world title belt.

But the featherweight lost his debut fight against Ukrainian Nikita Lukin in October after a cuts stoppage and a doctor has since advised him not to box without head protection.

Head guards are not worn in the professional ranks so the setback is likely to end MacDonald's pro career, according to former coach George Treble.

Treble said: 'Nick has had a few problems since with cuts opening up in sparring. After visiting a plastic surgeon to have them repaired, he was advised that he was particularly prone to cuts to the degree that he may never finish a professional fight due to cuts stoppages.'

Source icLiverpool

What a terrible shame....

The crazy thing is that McDonald has a lovely exciting style that would have sold boat loads of tickets in the pro game.

Shame he is so prone to injury but heres hoping he can get back into the groove in the vest

Is he allowed to enter the ABA's again?

"10 time ABA champion" . I'm assuming they are taking into account Junior and Youth titles in that.

Old bones Ian wrote:Is he allowed to enter the ABA's again?

You cna have 3 or 4 pro fights and move back.

His debut looked a run of bad luck at the time - bit over-excited and too full throttle, like the majority with prospects, but it looked to be that approach that spawned the cut more so than susceptible skin. Was looking forward to seeing his first few fights, especially once he had settled down. Thought he had potential to be a quality, exciting pro.
Depends how bad the openings-up in sparring were but I'd have thought if he was chomping at the bit with world title ambitions (and the debut certainly showed ambition) he'd have given it another try or two. If he's happier in the vest more power to him. Just can't help think he might be missing out and might regret such a big decision - unless he is planning to return to the pro's at a later time?
Couple more things to think about: doctor's can be pretty polemical when it comes to boxing, was it a 'boxing doctor'? Did he give proper time for the cut to heal before putting it to the test in the gym?