Williams Lake’s Stuart McLellan has earned a top 25 World Boxing Council ranking after he picked up his 18th professional win in Mexico.
McLellan posted a seventh-round knockout over his opponent, Gustavo Meza, on Jan. 28 in Ocotlan, Jalisco, Mexico.
“It was a tough fight,” McLellan told the Tribune. “He was tough. Real busy. He came out and got me with some good shots in the first, I had him hurt in the third and fourth, but couldn’t finish him.”
McLellan originally thought he was stepping in the ring for a four-round fight, however, it turned out to be a bout scheduled for 10 rounds.
The end came when McLellan caught Meza — who he also earned a unanimous decision over in September in Mexico — charging forward and caught him with a stiff, left jab that left his opponent stunned.
Shortly after, McLellan blasted Meza with a hard, overhand right, knocking him to the canvass for the technical knockout win.
“He came more prepared [than in our first fight],” McLellan said. “Ultimately, he got impatient and rushed in and I got him with the jab. I thought he was playing possum at first, but once I realized he was hurt I got him with the overhand right.”
The victory also landed McLellan the WBC FECOMBOX Championship, adding to his title collection as he also holds the Canadian Professional Boxing Council’s superwelterweight 154-pound championship.
The win improves McLellan’s professional record to 18 wins, two losses and three draws.
McLellan added he has a potential big fight coming up in May or June, however, isn’t able to announce any details just yet.
The Williams Lake Boxing Club, where McLellan trains out of, is inviting anyone interested in starting the sport to come by the club on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6 p.m.
The club is located in the basement of the Western Wood Heat building at 1515 Highway 97 South.