Greenock boxer Tony Orr set for professional debut

Talented fighter Tony Orr is pulling his gloves for a debut professional bout after a four-year hiatus from fighting.

The 23-year-old stepped away from the ring in October 2019 after the sudden loss of a close friend, but has remained in shape and kept up his training throughout the intervening years.

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He is now ready to make a comeback at ‘Judgement Day’, a promotion being put on by Kynoch Boxing Scotland at Glasgow’s Doubletree by Hilton on June 24.

The gas operator hopes the fight can be a springboard from which to launch a professional career and carry on the success of his glittering amateur days.

Tony told the Telegraph he was raring to get back on the canvas.

He said: “I just want to get back in there, I don’t think I’ll be that nervous before this fight because I’ve been out for so long – I just want to get back in there.

“It’s been a rocky road to get here, I’ve had a lot of passings in my family.

“Before my last fight four years ago I had a friend pass away and that hit me quite hard.

“We used to train together, and we would spar a lot, he was at my last fight.

“When he died I started falling apart, I felt as if I needed a break and it wasn’t for me.

“I should have won that last fight, but my head wasn’t into it.

“I didn’t have the mindset then, but now that’s in the past and I’m ready to move forward.”

After taking part in his first fight aged 10, Tony went on to have a string of successes at regional and national level.

In an amateur career spanning more than 50 fights he picked up four consecutive Western Districts wins, won the Scottish open championship four times in a row, competed in the British championships and took part in the 2015 European championships as part of Team Scotland.

Tony says that throughout his career he has been inspired by the exploits of Greenock boxer John Simpson, whose illustrious career hit the heights of British, Commonwealth, Celtic and WBC international glory.

The young fighter hopes that success as a professional will earn him the chance to stage a big show in Greenock Town Hall and to emulate his hero.

He added: “I’ve achieved a lot at amateur level and now I want to go and do it professionally, like John Simpson did.

“He was a hero to me, I used to always see him running by my house.

“I’ve been training every day my whole life, I’ve never taken five days off in a row.

“Since new year I’ve been training twice a day every month, so I’m the fittest I’ve ever been and I’m in the best shape of my life.

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“Winning my first title has been the highlight of my career so far, my uncle Andy died in 2012 and I was fighting two weeks later.

“I was just going to pull out, but I dug deep and went and won the Western Districts.

“I overcame so much, it’s one I’ll always remember.

“I’m going to bring that same determination with me as I turn professional.

“I’m really grateful to Barber Browns, Guiller repairs, Michelle Orr fitness boxing, HSPGlasgow and Raw Benefits for sponsoring me.

“This is something I’ve wanted to do since I was a young boy, and I owe a lot to Danny Lee at Greenock Boxing Club, who taught me everything.

“After this fight I want to be out again, and again very quickly, hopefully I can get three or four fights this year.

“If I perform, hopefully we can have a big night down in Greenock Town Hall. That’s my dream.”