John A MacDonald

Sports Journalist · 94 articles

Daniel Dubois: Calm before the storm
Features

Daniel Dubois: Calm before the storm

It would be understandable if Daniel Dubois felt a sense of trepidation ahead of tonight’s clash with Joe Joyce at Church House, Westminster. After all, there is a lot at stake: the British, Commonwealth and European heavyweight titles, as well as his undefeated record.  Yet the 23-year-old was relaxed and supremely confident when Boxing Social caught up […]

Terri Harper: The dream continues
Features

Terri Harper: The dream continues

Terri Harper’s journey from working in a fish and chip shop to winning a world title in just her 10th fight is nothing short of a fairytale.  It may sound farfetched, even now that it has become reality, but her trainer and manager Stefy Bull was never in doubt. It was all part of his vision […]

Paddy Donovan: Primed for the big time
Features

Paddy Donovan: Primed for the big time

On the Las Vegas strip, it is easy to lose focus and direction. It is designed to have that effect: neon lights disorientate, windowless casinos without clocks pump oxygen into the room to encourage gamblers to part with their last dollar and every vice can be easily indulged. Most 21-year-olds faced with such possibilities would […]

Nelson breaks down Usyk-Chisora
Features

Nelson breaks down Usyk-Chisora

In the 41-year history of the division, only two former cruiserweight world champions have gone onto capture heavyweight gold. Tonight, Oleksandr Usyk takes the next step in his quest to follow in the footsteps of Evander Holyfield and David Haye, when he faces his first legitimate test in the land of giants as he takes […]

Taylor: Lopez isn’t that special
News

Taylor: Lopez isn’t that special

WBA Super and IBF super-lightweight champion Josh Taylor has welcomed a fight with unified lightweight boss Teofimo Lopez. Taylor (17-0, 13 KOs) looks set to face rival WBC and WBO title-holder Jose Ramirez early next year with all four major sanctioning body 140lbs titles at stake.  Lopez (16-0, 12 KOs) became the undisputed ruler of […]

Eaton tips McKinson for the top
News

Eaton tips McKinson for the top

Michael McKinson has been tipped to win major titles by his promoter Lee Eaton, of MTK Global. The welterweight is currently ranked No.8 by the WBO and will likely face a fighter in the sanctioning body’s Top 10 to help him scale the ratings and a step closer to challenging for that world title, currently […]

Cheeseman-Eggington II hopes fade
News

Cheeseman-Eggington II hopes fade

A rematch between Ted Cheeseman and Sam Eggington appears unlikely at present, as ‘The Big Cheese’ is unhappy with the financial terms offered. The two super-welterweights topped the bill on the first of Eddie Hearn’s ‘Fight Camp’ cards back in August. After a cautious opening six rounds, the fight caught fire in the second half, […]

Mthalane defends IBF crown against Mama on December 20
News

Mthalane defends IBF crown against Mama on December 20

IBF flyweight champion Moruti Mthalane will defend his crown against mandatory challenger Jayson Mama in a long-awaited homecoming bout in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, on December 20. Mthalane (39-2, 26 KOs) has not fought in his native South Africa for more than three years. His last fight on home soil saw him halt Ardin Diale within […]

Bentley ready for the next step
Features

Bentley ready for the next step

Tonight, Denzel Bentley (13-0, 11 KOs) faces the biggest challenge of his career to date as he takes on Mark Heffron for the vacant IBF European middleweight title, at York Hall, Bethnal Green. For a fighter who had just 17 fights as an amateur and limited professional experience, Heffron represents a significant step up in […]

Dan Azeez: Never back down
Features

Dan Azeez: Never back down

With his knee-high socks and short, velvet trunks, it is clear that Dan Azeez has a deep reverence for a bygone era of boxing. However, his admiration for the legends of the sport is not a case of style over substance, as he combines retro ring attire with an old-school mentality. Too many modern fighters […]

Lee McGregor: I’m in the shape of my life
Features

Lee McGregor: I’m in the shape of my life

In the past, the days leading up to a weigh-in were wildly unpleasant for Lee McGregor as he endured an arduous battle to lose the final few stubborn pounds to boil his 5’7” frame down to the bantamweight limit.  However, when Boxing Social caught up with the Scotsman on Monday evening, ahead of his fight with Ryan […]

Chris Jenkins: Tough times don’t last, tough people do
Features

Chris Jenkins: Tough times don’t last, tough people do

Spend any length of time talking to Chris Jenkins and it’s likely he’ll tell a joke in a minute. Of course, the Welshman has good reason to be cheerful. Having been on the verge of walking away from a sport that had taken more from him than it ever gave back. Jenkins is finally reaping […]