MGM Scotland's Sam Kynoch on Career, Goals, 12/5 Bill

By Chris Glover

Boxing Scene’s Chris Glover sat down with one of the UK's newest promoters, MGM Promotions Scotland's boss Sam Kynoch ahead of their fourth show at Edinburgh's Meadowbank Arena on December 5.

Sam has been a well-known face of the Scottish boxing scene for some time now and has risen to prominence being the mainstay of the MGM Promotions Scotland set up which includes the likes of David Brophy, Stephen Simmons and Iain Butcher. This is what Sam had to say:

How did you get involved with MGM?

I went over to Marbella a few years ago with a squad of boxers for a training camp. While over there I gelled really well with the team at MGM Marbella so we kept in touch and I went over for more training camps with boxers. At the time I was still involved in the semi-professional circuit and was eyeing a move into the pro ranks with a couple of my boxers (Gary Murray and Marc Kerr, now 6-0 and 3-0 pros, respectively) and following discussions with the guys in Marbella we decided to form MGM Scotland. This involved my existing gym re-branding as MGM Scotland and MGM Promotions Scotland being founded.

What is your background in boxing?

I have been involved in the sport since the age of 12, when I started boxing with the Perth Railway Amateur Boxing Club. I went on to have 60 amateur contests and represented Scotland on several occasions. My competitive career was cut short due to injury so I started to focus on the coaching side of things. I studied Law at Glasgow University and during my studies I started training people and staged my first show in 2008. It was a very small affair in a gym and I didn’t have any aspirations to be a promoter but the shows just kept getting bigger and bigger. In 2013 I was a few years into my career as a Corporate Lawyer with a large law firm when I decided to make the transition to become involved in boxing full-time, which was necessary because of the rate at which the events were growing. So, for all that 2016 will be just my second year as a professional promoter, it will be my ninth in boxing promotion generally.

How would you describe the MGM Scotland base in Glasgow?

The MGM Scotland base is a world-class facility, open seven days a week and equipped with everything a boxer needs – including two competition sized rings and in excess of 60 punch bags. The facilities are backed up by an excellent coaching team, which includes one of Scotland’s most accomplished boxers in Gary Jacobs (former British, Commonwealth & European Champion – who challenged pound for pound supremo Pernell Whitaker for his WBC Welterweight title in 1995). Perhaps most importantly, the gym has a great atmosphere and a strong focus on bringing through the next generation of Scottish boxers (with children from age 5 upwards having access to classes five days per week).

What do you aim to achieve now you have linked up with MGM?

The aim is to become the dominant force in professional boxing in Scotland. We are looking to nurture and develop the best talent the country has to offer. The sport has stagnated in Scotland for too long and we are looking to offer the Scottish public events which are well produced and entertaining.

What can we expect from the Edinburgh show?

Our Edinburgh Fight Night bill on Saturday, December 5 at Meadowbank Arena is shaping up to be a fantastic event. The top of the bill bout has the makings of a domestic classic, with undefeated Scotsman David Brophy (14-0-1) clashing with Welsh Champion Tobias Webb (16-3-1) over 10 rounds at super-middleweight.  The undercard is packed with talent, including local cruiserweight Stephen Simmons (12-1). Simmons is now training out of MGM Scotland and he has been looking great in the gym so fans can expect to see a new Stephen Simmons on December 5. I see Stephen taking a couple of fights to get into his stride and then toppling those at the very top of the division – he has been looking that good.  

What plans do you have for the future that can excite fight fans?

We have lots of plans, both in terms of a high quantity of events (we already have six penned in for the first six months of 2016) but also quality of matches. At this juncture the majority of our boxers fall into the prospect bracket because their careers are just getting started – but we are moving them along quickly and when the time is right we will not be shy when it comes to putting them into 50/50 match-ups, which is what the fans want to see and what they will come through if they are to make it to the top. We are looking to build champions and not inflated undefeated records, and in doing so we will provide fight fans with some very entertaining nights.

Chris Glover is part of Boxing Scene's UK team. Follow him on Twitter @ChrisGlover28