Scottish cruiserweight Connal McDonald has the opportunity to make a major statement this Saturday when he takes on unbeaten Lucas Roehrig at Zuffa 12 in London’s Copper Box Arena on the undercard of Chris Billam-Smith vs Cheavon Clarke.
McDonald (5-1, 1 KO), the reigning Scottish champion, faces a fighter attracting plenty of attention through his association with former world champion George Groves, who manages and trains Roehrig.
However, the 30-year-old Scot is relishing the opportunity and believes his experience could prove decisive.
“I think I’ve definitely faced the harder competition in our short professional careers so far,” McDonald told us.
Rather than focusing on the attention surrounding his opponent, he sees Saturday as a major opportunity for his own career.
From a Scottish village to the big stage
McDonald’s boxing journey began at the age of 10 when a new club, Bravehearts, opened in his local area. Growing up in a tiny village in south west Scotland, his upbringing was a far cry from the bright lights of boxing on a show promoted by Dana White and a sign of how far the Scot has come.
“I come from a tiny village in the country in south west Scotland so it was great when the club started up,” he explained.
His amateur career included a notable victory over Daniel Dubois in the 2014 GB Youth Championships. While his memories of the contest are limited, he remembers feeling he had done enough to get the decision.
“I can’t really remember much of it. But what I can remember was he was a good bit taller than me at the time and he did feel strong even back then.”
He added: “I thought actually got the better of the fight and I thought I won at the end of the fight.”
McDonald also revealed that his experience against elite opposition extends beyond that result, having travelled to Madrid in 2023 to spar Olympic silver medallists and amateur world champions.
“I’ve trained with and fought the absolute top of the business,” he said.
Scottish Champion
McDonald enters the contest following the biggest win of his professional career, having defeated Scott Forrest to become Scottish cruiserweight champion last May.
It was a particularly satisfying achievement given that he entered the fight as the underdog.
The contest was gruelling, with McDonald suffering a cut around his eye and swelling to both eyes from the seventh round onwards.
Despite the damage, he believes he finished the fight strongly.
“Aye, the fight with Scott was absolutely brilliant. And to get that belt, that was everything, man,” he said.
“It was one of those fights where I was kind of looked as the underdog, so I was. And probably rightfully so.”
He added: “And actually I thought that the ninth and tenth round was my best rounds.”
It was a victory that gives McDonald plenty of confidence heading into another difficult assignment this Saturday night.
McDonald describes himself as an adaptable fighter and is ready for any whatever Roehrig brings to the table.
“I’ve got a bit of a weird style if I’m being honest. I can do a bit of everything,” he explained.
“I really have relied on my footwork. So I’ll be looking to try and make him fall short, make him miss and make him pay straight away.”
The Scot is also aware of the financial incentives available on the Zuffa platform, with Fight of the Night and Performance of the Night bonuses up for grabs.
He knows an entertaining performance could bring additional rewards, admitting: “Going in and being hyper aggressive and having a hard fight, you might be able to get a few extra thousand out of them.”
‘I see myself winning’
Despite recognising the challenge ahead, McDonald is predicting a strong performance. He expects the opening rounds to be competitive but believes he can begin taking control as the fight goes on.
“I see myself winning. I see myself growing into the fight as the rounds go on,” he said.
“I think it’ll be a close maybe first couple of rounds. But once we get to about the third round, I think I’ll really start to dominate the fight if I’m being honest.”
Whether that comes through fighting on the front foot or using his counter-punching ability, McDonald is confident he has the tools to get the job done, although he recognises the work required.
“It’s something that I’ve trained the last 12 weeks to do. So looking I’m forward to it.”
Roehrig arrives unbeaten, with the backing of Zuffa and one of Britain’s most recognisable former world champions in his corner. McDonald, meanwhile, arrives as champion of Scotland, and like the many Scottish warriors before him, he will enter London with no fear and in no doubt that it will be his hand raised at the final bell.
A victory over a heavily backed prospect would be a statement that could change the course of the Scot’s career. The spotlight may be on Roehrig, but McDonald intends to leave the Copper Box Arena with everyone talking about him.
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