Nathaniel Collins and Lee McGregor fight to emerge from Josh Taylor's shadow
May 22, 2025 • 9:51 AM ET
Leigh Dawney PhotographyGLASGOW – Nathaniel Collins believes his speed, footwork, and movement will prove too much for Lee McGregor to contain.
They meet at the OVO Hydro in Glasgow in an enticing all-Scottish featherweight clash in a fight that could determine the country’s next flagbearer when Josh Taylor – Saturday’s headliner at welterweight against Ekow Essuman – retires.
Collins is 16-0 (7 KOs) and said at Thursday’s final press conference: “He says I’m in his way, and I say he’s in my way. I’ve said from the start I want to go for world titles, and that’s what I’m looking at.”
The fighters know one another well, having sparred countless rounds together as international amateurs.
McGregor, 15-1-1 (11 KOs), still feels he has the potential to go on and achieve world honors.
“As young kids, we dream about fights like this on Saturday and I’m ready to leave it all in the ring,” he said. “I feel like the best – and this is no disrespect – can beat anyone in the world at featherweight. Nathaniel Collins is in my way on Saturday.
“I feel like I’m a better boxer than Nathaniel and I think I can outfight him as well. Everyone when they saw this fight was announced were buzzing for the fight.”
Also on Saturday’s bill, the vacant Commonwealth cruiserweight title will be contested by Aloys Junior, 9-1 (8 KOS), and David Jamieson.
Jamieson, 13-3 (10 KOs), who is more than 10 years older, said he would not give much away but added: “The way we both go about our business speaks for itself… I’ve not really got any miles on the clock. I’ve got good experience and I think that will be the difference.”
Asked what was on his mind ahead of the fight, Junior – calling his opponent “baby food” – said: “With all due respect, I’m going to fuck this man up.”
“His patter’s absolutely terrible,” Jamieson responded. “Why don’t we just leave it and we’ll settle it on the night?”
The prospect of the Scottish middleweight title fight between Aston Brown and Reece Porter sparked a feisty exchange, too.
“It’s been a bit of a rocky road for me, but I’m looking forward to Saturday night on a big stage – I’ll knock Reece Porter out on Saturday night,” said Brown.
Porter replied: “There’s going to be a knockout, definitely.”
Tris Dixon covered his first amateur boxing fight in 1996. The former editor of Boxing News, he has written for a number of international publications and newspapers, including GQ and Men’s Health, and is a board member for the Ringside Charitable Trust and the Ring of Brotherhood. He has been a broadcaster for TNT Sports and hosts the popular “Boxing Life Stories” podcast. Dixon is a British Boxing Hall of Famer, an International Boxing Hall of Fame elector, a BWAA award winner, and is the author of five boxing books, including “Damage: The Untold Story of Brain Trauma in Boxing” (shortlisted for the William Hill Sportsbook of the Year), “Warrior: A Champion’s Search for His Identity” (shortlisted for the Sunday Times International Sportsbook of the Year) and “The Road to Nowhere: A Journey Through Boxing’s Wastelands.” You can reach him @trisdixon on X and Instagram.
