McMillan ups the ante ahead of Young clash

Published on Friday 13 November 2009 22:01

GARY McMILLAN has increased the tension ahead of tomorrow night's Scottish welterweight title bout at Glasgow's Pavilion Theatre by labelling Edinburgh rival Gary Young as a "one- dimensional" fighter.

According to 22-year-old McMillan, Gilmerton fighter Young is stuck in a time warp, adding: "Gary boxes the same way he did when he was a 15-year old. He has not changed one bit during his career."

Young, 26, has not fought since breaking his right hand in a six-round win over David Kirk in September 2007 and McMillan has threatened to make his opponent's comeback bout his last after taunting him with the barb that he may as well book his retirement party before they even exchange blows.

McMillan's confidence appears to stem from a two-week trip to America to train at Freddie Roach's famous Wild Card Boxing Club in Los Angeles, where he engaged the services of Rashad Holloway, one of gym superstar Manny Pacquiao's regular sparring partners. His coach tomorrow will be Terry McCormack, from the Lochend club in Edinburgh, and he spent last week there sparring with Alex Arthur.

Young, 26, appears not to be in the least fazed by McMillan's comments, though. "Talk is cheap," he countered. "If Gary McMillan could fight as good as he can talk he would be undisputed champion of the world. He is in for a rude awakening."

Young has more experience, with 17 wins from 18 bouts compared to McMillan's record of nine wins, one loss and a draw.