Boxer Kiaran MacDonald ready to shine for Sunderland
Sunderland boxer Kiaran MacDonald has set his sights on one day headlining at the Stadium of Light after making the switch to the professional ranks.
The talented Millfield fighter spent 12 years as an elite amateur with the GB squad.
He is set to make his pro debut on the undercard of his friend Josh Kelly's world title fight against Bakhram Murtazaliev at the Utilita Arena in Newcastle on January 31.
After winning silver medals at the Commonwealth Games and European Championships, the 28-year-old's stellar amateur career still lacked just one thing.
“I had a long career with GB and almost got everything I wanted out of the programme,” said Kiaran.
“It was bittersweet as I just missed out on qualification for the Olympics, but now I feel rejuvenated and happy again.
“It's the perfect time. I could've probably turned pro much earlier, but I wasn't going to give up on my Olympic dream.
"I'll always have that one regret of not going to the Olympics, but it's time for a new chapter and to use that hurt to push me further in the professional game.”
Kiaran has once again sacrificed home comforts to chase his sporting dreams, relocating to Manchester to be trained and managed by former world champion Anthony Crolla and Project Boxing.
He said: “I contacted Anthony through the Croft twins [Ioan and Garan], who'd been on GB with me.
"They said he'd be the perfect fit for me, so I went down and had a look.
"I knew within half an hour of being there that it was going to be the place for me – I didn't have to look any further.
“I need to be away from home, and I'm already comfortable with that after being with GB for so long.
"I'm accustomed to being away, and I can't afford to let my standards slip. When you're home, there are distractions, but everyone is on top of their game in the gym.”
Exciting times then for the man who first stepped foot in a boxing gym as a nine-year-old, inspired by Beijing bronze medallist Tony Jeffries.
The southpaw super-flyweight has certainly come a long way since then, but Kiaran and his team have big plans with the ultimate goal of topping the bill at the home of his beloved Sunderland.
“It's always been my dream to fight at the Stadium of Light – everyone wants stadium fights - but for now I just want to be in big arenas and go on to headline shows," said Kiaran.
Anthony added: “We've never had a world champion from Sunderland, and I think Josh can do it.
"Hopefully, he does, because that's just going to bring boxing on more in the North East – not just Sunderland.
“Boxing's not like the football! In boxing, everyone supports everyone, doesn't matter who it is, we all want everyone to do well in the North East.”
Kiaran added: “There's no love lost in the football and I'll drop it in that we got one over them [Newcastle] last month! But with boxing, everyone knows everyone.
"It's a tight-knit community, and everyone wants success for the North East.”
Anyone interested in supporting Kiaran as he makes his professional debut can contact him directly for tickets: Instagram @kiaranmacdonald