Ballarat’s Jeff McGregor shows his form and his medal in the gym. PICTURE: JUSTIN WHITELOCK
BOXER Jeff McGregor is a champion again at age 58.
The Ballarat fighter successfully defended his Australian 55 years-plus middleweight championship with a comprehensive 23-13 points victory over Melbourne boxer Wayne Ashmore at the Boxing Masters Championship in Adelaide last week.
McGregor delivered two standing eight counts on his opponent during the amateur bout on the way to claiming the title last Thursday night.
“He was a tough customer,” McGregor said yesterday.
“He had a height and reach advantage but perhaps didn’t use them as well as he could have. I was able to back him onto the ropes.”
McGregor, who is trained by Paul O’Brien, is a relative newcomer to competition boxing.
Thursday’s bout was his second championship fight, although he has had plenty of gym challenge fights.
“My son Alan started boxing. I watched him for a while than decided to do it myself for fitness.
“Now he has stopped but I’m still going.”
After defending his national title, McGregor has now set himself for the Austrlaian Masters Games in Geelong next year.
He is likely to be joined by trainer O’Brien along with Brent Trotter, Troy Chambers and Mathew Bishop.
McGregor also trains junior boxers at Paul O’Brien’s boxing gym on a Friday afternoon.
“We actually have more girls than boys at the moment,” he said.
“I think most are doing it for fitness and to get a bit of confidence. But women’s boxing is taking off, especially since the Olympics.”