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I have watched my gym-mates produce explosive displays - I want to do the same on Saturday

Joe McGrail after his win over Ryan Walker.
-Credit: (Image: Mark Robinson / Matchroom Boxing)


Joe McGrail has vowed to use his Everton Red Triangle gym-mates as his inspiration to deliver another explosive display this weekend. McGrail returns to the ring on Saturday night to take on Lewis Morris at the Co-op Live Arena in Manchester.

The huge Everton supporter defeated Ryan Walker on points last time out, a victory that saw him move to 10-0 in the professional ranks. But while McGrail hasn't fought for six months, it has been a busy time for his gym-mates at their Everton Red Triangle base under the stewardship of Paul Stevenson.

In his time out of the ring, Nick Ball has become a world champion as well as defending his title, while Andrew Cain, Brad Strand, Lucas Szeto-Biswana and Boma Brown have all picked up impressive victories. "The momentum we have at the minute is all down to the coaches, Paul and Anthony [Humphreys], the way they do things and the way they train us," McGrail told the ECHO.

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"The gym is flying at the moment. All the lads are flying.

"The other week at the arena, it was five knockouts in six fights on the night. Then we had our Peter [McGrail] with a knockout in his last fight.

"So I will be looking to carry that momentum on on Saturday night. It's inspiring watching the lads, but we are all in the gym together every day putting the work in, so it's not a surprise how well they are doing.

"We all know what is coming." McGrail is the younger brother of Peter McGrail, who is set to face Dennis McCann on the undercard of Tyson Fury's heavyweight rematch against Oleksandr Usyk at the Kingdom Arena, in Riyadh, in December.

"I am super excited for our Peter," McGrail said when asked about the showdown. "This is the first big fight for us as a family, and that is going to be his breakout fight when he lets the world know what he's about."

Although he has been a professional since 2021, McGrail only signed a long-term promotional deal with Eddie Hearn's Matchroom Boxing back in March. He admits being able to link up with a promoter has now provided him with the chance to put a plan in place.

"With having a promoter, it is just nice to have a plan and be backed, rather than having no promoter and waiting on fights," he said. "If you don't have a promoter, then you can often be waiting on fights and small hall shows, so it is good to have a plan in place.

"Even when I was signed to Matchroom, I have fought on Matchroom shows, and I had my debut on a Matchroom show. Our Peter made his debut on a Matchroom show, so I have been familiar with all the staff there well before I signed for them and the transition has been smooth.

"This is a big show, and obviously the main event is Jack Catterall and Regis Prograis, and that is a great fight. The rest of the card is stacked with talent.

"This is going to be my last eight-round fight. I will be moving up ten rounds then, and possibly the one after this fight could even be for a title, as well."