Dad’s plight prompts Willie Quinn’s boxing return

FORMER Scottish professional boxer Willie Quinn is facing one of the biggest fights of his life.
After a 13year gap, Willie Quinn is to make a oneoff return at the age of 41. Picture: SNSAfter a 13year gap, Willie Quinn is to make a oneoff return at the age of 41. Picture: SNS
After a 13year gap, Willie Quinn is to make a oneoff return at the age of 41. Picture: SNS

The former middleweight is returning to the ring next month after a 13-year gap to help fund a treatment for his father, who has been stricken with motor neurone disease.

The man nicknamed “The Mighty Quinn”, who was a two-times British title challenger and the former holder of the WBO Inter-Continental middleweight crown, needs the cash to send his father, Tommy, for further treatment in Israel.

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The 66-year-old from Tranent has already had stem cell treatment which has seen an improvement in Tommy’s condition. But doctors have told Quinn, who now works off-shore, that more is needed. “I want to do all I can to help my dad,” said Quinn.

The 41-year-old, who won 28 of his 33 fights, knocking out 19 of his opponents and losing five, quit the ring after a technical KO success over Jason Barker at the Kelvin Hall in Glasgow in March 2000.

He fought 147 rounds during his professional career, which started in 1991, contesting two British and one Commonwealth title championships.

Quinn plans to fight Bobby Collins in the four, two-minute round contest at the City Night Club in Edinburgh on Friday, 21 March. He said: “I’ve been working out in the gym off-shore and training when I’m back home. My dad has been having stem cell treatment in Israel and we want him to go back for more. It’s really expensive but I want to do all I can to help him.”

Quinn’s former manager, Glasgow-based Alex Morrison, and Rangers midfielder Ian Black, who lives nearby and is a family friend, are also doing what they can to help.

Quinn said: “I’m really grateful to everybody for pitching in. My dad needs help and going back in the ring for a bout to raise money is something I want to do to help him.”

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