Boxing: Eddie Doyle ‘spurred on’ by arrival of baby daughter

Published on 21/01/2013 01:37

Eddie Doyle insists his new baby girl has been the biggest source of inspiration ahead of his Commonwealth light-welterweight title battle with Willie Limond in Glasgow tonight.

The Glenboig fighter and his wife welcomed Karis into the world in November and she has helped him prepare for the keenly-awaited contest, which will mark the 40th anniversary of the St Andrew’s Sporting Club.

Doyle, unbeaten in 12 professional fights, said: “It was hard training over the festive season, but every time I looked at my wee daughter’s face, I just wanted to do it so badly.

“It really spurred me on before I went training and I really want to do better in the sport because of her.

“It’s been really great having the kid and my wife has helped me so much. She does everything, takes care of the baby at night so that I don’t have to get up and that has helped with my training. I really enjoyed it and now I am looking forward to the fight.”

Limond, 33, is anticipating a frenzied atmosphere in front of around 700 spectators.

He said: “It is going to be jam-packed, an amazing, noisy night, but I have trained hard for it.”

Tommy Gilmour, St Andrew’s Sporting Club owner, and manager of both fighters, is looking forward to a gala occasion, saying: “This will be the 94th major title fight in 40 years at the club and it is sold out.

“We will have the red carpet and a piper who will be piping the guests in.

“Jim Watt will make the toast to the club and we will have celebrities and high-profile people from all different sports like Craig Chalmers, Gary Anderson, Stewart Regan, Neil Doncaster, Willie Henderson, Billy McNeill, Billy Stark, Willie Miller and some surprise guests.

“So it’s fantastic that the great and the good are coming on the night. It will be an occasion and hopefully people will remember the night in 40 years’ time.”

At yesterday’s weigh-in in Glasgow, both fighters tipped the scales at nine stone, 13 pounds, 14 ounces.