Leicester’s own Sean Bruce (6-1, 0 KOs) is one win away from reviving a slice of city history when he faces Scotland’s Matt McHale (7-1, 5 KOs) for the vacant Commonwealth super-flyweight title this Friday at East Kilbride’s Caledonia Gladiators Arena. Should the 29-year-old Cosby resident prevail, he will become the first fighter from Leicester to claim a Commonwealth strap since his current trainer, Rendall Munroe, outpointed Isaac Nettey back in May 2009.
Bruce’s title bid carries extra fire after his planned March showdown with Khaisy Khademi imploded at the eleventh hour in Gibraltar when the opponent withdrew injured during warm-ups. Calling the experience a “nightmare,” Bruce quickly refocused once St Andrew’s Sporting Club offered this Scottish headliner. “I’ve not had to wait too long to put things right,” he said. “That’s exactly what I intend to do against McHale.”
While Bruce owns momentum, McHale arrives with serious pedigree of his own: a Commonwealth Games bronze and the backing of a home crowd north of the border. Manager-promoter Carl Greaves concedes the 30-year-old Scot may present a sterner test than Khademi, yet trusts the pro experience Bruce has banked under Munroe’s guidance. “It’s going to be lively in there,” Greaves said, “but I’ve every confidence Sean adds a Commonwealth title to his collection.”
History, redemption, and a raucous Scottish atmosphere set the stage. For Bruce, victory would not only erase the Gibraltar frustration but also etch his name beside his coach’s in Leicester lore - a 7lb belt that has eluded the city for more than a decade.
Fight card:
▪️Matt McHale vs. Sean Bruce, 12 rounds, for the vacant Commonwealth Boxing Council super flyweight title
▪️Jake Limond vs. Adian Williamson, 10 rounds, for the BBBofC Scottish Area super lightweight title
▪️Tyler Jolly vs. Jake Tinklin, 10 rounds, for the vacant BBBofC Celtic featherweight title
▪️Cassidy Todd vs. Ashleigh Johnson, 10 x 2 rounds, super bantamweight
▪️Lewis Connelly vs. TBA, 4 rounds, super lightweight
▪️Craig Morgan vs. Ally B Lubanja, TBA, lightweight
