Mackay wins his first professional boxing match
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A GROUP of supporters from Sutherland’s north coast travelled to Dundee recently to watch Andrew Mackay take part in his first professional boxing match.
Andrew (22) is from Inverness but his dad Graeme hails from Tongue and his mother Fiona, from Helmsdale. His late granny was Cathie Barbara Mackay, who had Eilean nan Roan and Embo connections and was a long serving County and District councillor for the north coast.
Says Andrew: “There was an incredibly loud and electric atmosphere from people who had turned up so support me from Sutherland and Inverness. Mackay chants were echoing around the arena during the fight, and there was a massive roar when I managed a knockdown in the third round.”
Andrew was fighting Dean Evans from Hereford at the Caird Hall in Dundee.
In round one, Andrew had a fast start and looked far bigger and stronger than his experienced English opponent. He had a strong opening round on the front foot, applying constant pressure to his opponent, resulting in Evans being hurt by some whipping body shots.
Round two followed much the same pattern with Mackay clearly sensing Evans was not enjoying the barrage of body shots he was having to face. To his credit though, the Englishman dug in and used his experience to get through the round.
Evans started round three the fastest, perhaps sensing that he was well behind on the score cards. He landed the first telling blow of the round with a shot that seemed to catch Mackay around the ear area, forcing him to take a few backward steps and regain his composure, which he did in the manner of a man making his 10th professional fight and not his first. This was ruthlessly displayed as Mackay lulled his opponent closer in before delivering a stunning left hook which knocked Evans to the canvas. Once more though, despite being hurt, he took an eight count and got through the rest of the round.
In round four, Mackay was clearly full of confidence as he was roared on by his support to produce another slick round of controlled and measured boxing, which saw out a very comfortable round once again, reflected in the score of 40 to 35 in his favour.
This was a great start to Andrew’s professional career, with bigger challenges lying ahead, including the possibility of another fight next month.
