ALEX MACMILLAN, who makes his professional debut on November 29, has only grown in confidence since sharing several rounds of sparring with Chris Eubank Jr.
Along with McGuigan’s Gym stablemate Lee Cutler, and head coach Josh Pritchard, the 22-year-old packed his bags and flew over to Dubai at the beginning of this month.
This was not a chance to catch some rays, but rather an opportunity for the soon-to-be debutant to test himself against a seasoned pro, who also happens to be one of British boxing’s most recognisable faces.
But instead of approaching the task with trepidation, or failing to resist the feeling that he was out of his depth, MacMillan quite simply went about his business as if it was another day at the office.
“It was a very good experience; I really enjoyed it,” he told Boxing News. “If you look at my Instagram, I was there for the first [Eubank vs Conor Benn fight in April], watching from the stands.
“I remember thinking, ‘One day, this will be me.’ Then, a few months later, I’m out in Dubai sparring him [Eubank], helping him prepare for the rematch.
“For me, it was a surreal moment, especially when I walked into the gym. But, after sparring him, I came away with a massive confidence boost, because it’s like we’re no different [from one another].
“Yeh, he’s filling out stadiums, but all I’ve got to do is years of hard work and I’ll be there one day.”
Ahead of his rematch with Benn at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, on November 15, Eubank, 35-3 (25 KOs), has sparred the likes of MacMillan, Cutler and amateur standout Odel Kamara while, at the same time, restoring his relationship with head coach Brian ‘BoMac’ McIntyre.
With Eubank fighting at middleweight, though, MacMillan, who intends to campaign at 147lbs, was forced to contend with a slight size disparity during their rounds.
Yet despite that, the Morecambe man felt as though he more-than held his own and, since their sparring sessions, has even added a few extra strings to his own bow.
“He’s a big guy when you’re standing in front of him but, physically-wise, I didn’t feel much of a difference to what I’m used to,” MacMillan insisted.
“It was more his jab, and his inside work is very good as well, but I’ve just learned from that and have tried to add bits to my game.”
Now gearing up for his pro debut at Winter Gardens, Blackpool, MacMillan has no interest in steadying the pace of his progression.
Rather, the welterweight prospect believes that, with Jake McGuigan as his manager, and Shane McGuigan often chipping in with his own expertise, he is in the right hands to make a meteoric rise to the top.
“I want to go all the way to the top as soon as possible,” he said. “We’ll have a massive year [in 2026], and hopefully pick up my first few titles.
“[Area and English titles are] very realistic for towards the end of next year.
“I’m definitely in the right hands [with the McGuigans], but one thing’s for sure: they don’t put you in there unless you’re ready.
“What they do with matchmaking is really good – just look at Josh Taylor. I’m here to progress as much as possible and, whoever’s in front of me, I’ll knock them over.”
