Scotland’s Craig McEwan has made his home in Los Angeles, Ca since turning pro 3 and a half years ago where he has run his record to an impressive 17-0(9). The 27 year old originally hails from a tough part of Edinburgh. He had an impressive amateur career that got the attention of Freddie Roach who brought him to Los Angeles where he still trains at the Wild Card. McEwan trains with a galaxy of Boxing superstars lead by Manny Pacquiao, the supporting cast isn’t to shabby either with Amir Khan & Guillermo Rigondeaux plus an assortment of other fighters at various points of there career’s. McEwan doesn’t currently have a fight lined up but he’s ready and raring to get back into action.
Hello Craig, welcome to 15rounds.com
Anson Wainwright – Firstly can you tell us what your up to at the moment? Do you have any fights lined up? If so can you give us the details?
Craig McEwan – Right now there’s nothing concrete. Hoping to fight soon. I’m training hard and I’m ready to go. I’m currently sparring with Edison Miranda. Great sparring so I should be well prepared for any thing that comes my way!
Anson Wainwright – It’s been the better part of three and a half years since you decided to go pro, how do you assess your development?
Craig McEwan – I’ve learned so much since I’ve been over here in Hollywood. Being in the WildCard, training with world-renowned fighters, getting great sparring really keeps you motivated. I’ve been lucky enough to have the opportunity to spar with so many great fighters, from world champions like Bernard Hopkins, Winky Wright, Tony Margarito, Kingsley Ikeke, Edison Miranda, as well as great prospects like Shawn Porter, Vanes Martirosyan, Peter Manfredo, Enrique Ornelas, Librado Andrade. If I take something from all of these guys and use it in my own game then hopefully it’ll help me get to where I want to be. All of these opportunities have helped me develop as a fighter. I’ve still got a lot to learn but I hope I’m improving with every fight.
Anson Wainwright – Your from Scotland but decided to base yourself in Los Angleles. Can you tell us how this came about? Would you ever like to go back to Britain and fight?
Craig McEwan – Well, as an amateur in 2005, I came over to spar in the Wild Card ahead of the Commonwealth Games. Freddie and I have a mutual friend, Terry McCormack (another boxing coach). Terry had been over to the WildCard gym a few times and would come back and tell me all about it. He recommended I come here. I loved it. I have been training since I was 7 years old and training at home was getting a bit repetitive. The WildCard was so different and the sparring was brilliant. After the month-long training camp Freddie wanted me to stay and turn professional in the States but I had made a promise to compete for Scotland in the Games, which I did. I came over here in August 2007 and Freddie signed me immediately. He is now my co-manager and trainer.
I would really like to fight in Britain, especially Scotland, but I’m not sure that’s going to happen any time soon. You never know, with Amir signing with Golden Boy they may start promoting shows in Britain and I’ll get my chance then. At this moment in time I’d be happy to fight anywhere!!
Anson Wainwright – You obviously get to see many top fighters like Manny Pacquiao, Amir Khan, Guillermo Rigondeaux etc work out. What have you learnt from being around some of these guys in the gym?
Craig McEwan – With Manny, it’s the way he trains, he’s a different species!! He doesn’t know the word tired! It encourages me to train harder. I was also lucky enough to be in the gym when Floyd Mayweather was there. He is another one that trains really hard. He trained non-stop for 2 hours without pausing for even a minute. Unbelievable!! It show how hard you need to work to be a champion. Amir has a similar attitude too. I’ve seen him mature so much since he’s been here. A nice guy, doesn’t deserve any of the bad press he gets. Even guys like Kingsley Ikeke who is in the gym every day without fail even when there is no sign of a fight on the horizon…that’s dedication for you!
Anson Wainwright – You train at the Wild Card gym that is obviously a tremendous experience for you with the host of stars that have come through those doors. Can you tell us about some of those?
Craig McEwan – I’ve mentioned a few already. There’s a lot of boxing stars who train there but also a lot of celebrities about. I was a bit star struck at the start but you soon get used to seeing guys such as Mickey Rourke, Mark Wahlberg and Christian Bale hanging around. Obviously the biggest boxing superstar is the Pacman but you would barely know it because he’s one of the most down to earth guys you will ever meet. He’s forever trying to imitate my accent!! Floyd was actually a really nice guy too. He’s not as he comes across in the media.
Anson Wainwright – Can you tell us about Team McEwan, who is your manager, trainer and promoter and also anyone else who may help you out?
Craig McEwan – Well, I am trained and co-managed by Freddie Roach. My other co-manager is Billy Keane, who also manages veteran Pilipino fighter Gerry Penelosa, and UFC fighter Andrei Arlovski. I work a lot with Freddie’s assistant Jesse Arevalo on a day to day basis. He makes sure I’m working hard! I’m promoted by Oscar De La Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions. You know, if Freddie Roach and Oscar De La Hoya keep telling you, you can be a World Champion then you start to believe it.
Anson Wainwright – Can you tell us about how it was for you growing up in Scotland and the path that took you into Boxing?
Craig McEwan – It was my dad who got me into boxing. He started boxing at 32 and would fight anyone! He tried to get my two older brothers into boxing. They got fed up, he stuck at it. He had 100 fights as an amateur and boxed for Scotland. He now has his own amateur gym in Edinburgh and has produced a number of champions. When I started boxing at 7, my dad’s hero was Sugar Ray Leonard. He taught me how to move before I could punch! Boxing just came naturally to me and 20 years later I’m still fighting!!
Anson Wainwright – You had an impressive amateur career, can you tell us about the titles you won and what your final record was?
Craig McEwan – Well, I had about 378 amateur fights. I would fight more than twice a week sometimes!! To tell you the truth, I have no idea what my final record was but I definitely won more than I lost…I think, haha! I fought for the Scottish National team since I was 15. Travelled the world! I think I won 10 gold medals in international tournaments, one of them the European U19’s, as well as a bronze at the 2002 Commonwealth Games. My amateur experience stood me in good stead for the pro game. I have learned to adapt my amateur style into something more suited to a pro.
Anson Wainwright – What do you like to do away from Boxing?
Craig McEwan – Eat and spend time with my family…in that order, haha!! My wife, Sally, and my son, Callum are out here with me. We take advantage of the California sun as much as possible, trips to the park, zoo, beaches, anything outdoors. My wife is due our second son in June so we’re going to have our hands full! We have no other family here so we’re going to be busy – no babysitters! Mind you, I’m going to be even fitter, chasing after two boys!!
Anson Wainwright – The Middleweight division looks pretty weak at the top with only Pavlik, Sturm, Williams and Martinez however it looks as though there is a new wave of talent coming through including Korobov, Jacobs, Guerrero, Golovkin, N’Dam N’Jikam etc How do you assess the division and where do you think you sit with the new wave of guys coming through?
Craig McEwan – Yeah, it’s going to be tough at the top in the future but this is a good thing. You know, I take every fight seriously. It’s exciting just to be among those names that you mentioned. I’m just waiting for my chance then I’ll train hard and my time will come!
Anson Wainwright – What goals do you have in Boxing?
Craig McEwan – I have trained all my life to win a world title. I would love to win one and defend it in Edinburgh, at Easter Road or the castle!! I just want to be involved in great fights, know that I’ve done my best and to have a long and healthy career. I also want to keep my good looks intact, haha! That’s not too much to ask for, is it?
Anson Wainwright – Finally do you have a message for your fans back in Britain and the one you have in America?
Craig McEwan – Just thanks for all their support. There’s a lot of people who have been working hard to keep me in the Scottish and British press and that support really means a lot to me especially when all of my fights have been over here in America. Any time any one is in L.A come in and see me at the Wild Card!
Thanks for your time Craig, keep up the good work.
Anson Wainwright
15rounds.com
