
A Morecambe fighter says his gold medal at Europe's top amateur boxing tournament is "just the beginning" as he sets his sights on an upcoming trip to New York.
Alex MacMillan won the Men Senior’s Elite 71kg section of the Haringey Box Cup over the weekend.
MacMillan is now looking forward to a July visit to the famous Gleason's Gym in New York, where fight legends such as Muhammad Ali, Jake La Motta and Thomas 'Hitman' Hearns all trained.
Alex, the younger brother of local professional boxer Reece MacMillan, is a four-time regional champion and three-time national semi-finalist who represents JR Gym, based in Lostock Hall, Preston and owned by his trainer Johnney Roye.
MacMillan said he was "over the moon to have brought home the gold to Morecambe".
He fought three times in three days, first facing Meshach Clement from Rush Green in the quarter finals and progressing with a 5-0 unanimous decision.
On Saturday, he defeated national champion Alfie Woods of Christchurch Amateur Boxing Club (Dorset) in a 4-1 split decision in the semi final.
In the final on Sunday he took on Daniel Stoican of Phoenix ABC Nottingham and won with a 3-2 split decision.
MacMillan said: “It has always been a goal of mine to win this title and follow in the footsteps of fighters such as Anthony Joshua and Katie Taylor.
“I've been boxing since I was 15 and have been preparing for events like this ever since.
“I started out cycling six miles to the boxing gym and a train journey after school every day when I wouldn’t get home until 10pm.
“I’m now doing a full time apprenticeship in the local area and continue to train six days a week.
“I've won the North West Championships four times and made it to the National Championship semi-final three times, including once despite an injury that required immediate surgery.
“Despite this setback, I continued to train and was more determined than ever before.
“I have some exciting upcoming events including going to the Gleason’s Gym in New York in July and also representing the North West Region in Sweden in September.
“I would be grateful if everyone could follow and support my exciting journey on Instagram at _alexmacmillan_. This is only the beginning.
“I want to give a big shoutout to my sponsors - Smokey O’Connors, Bay Cameras & Communications and ATL Landscapes."
For sponsorship opportunities, contact Alex on 07305581290 or Alexmac20340@gmail.com.
Morecambe featherweight Leighton Birchall was also a gold medallist at the Haringey Box Cup over the weekend.