Stuart McLellan is looking to knock 2016 out of the ring — starting with a Canadian title victory later this month in Calgary.
The 29-year-old pro boxer from Williams Lake will mix it up with Calgary’s Janks Trotter, 31, in the main event for the vacant Canadian light middleweight title on Feb. 26 at the Deerfoot Inn and Casino.
McLellan will be stepping up a weight class to 154 pounds for the bout — a weight he said more suits his size.
While fighting down a weight class at 145 pounds, McLellan said 2015 was a tough year.
He lost the only two fights of his professional career — the first to Edmonton’s Ryan Wagner in March and the second to Canadian Professional Boxing Council welterweight champion, Steve Claggett, of Calgary. Despite, McLellan has 12 wins, two losses and three draws in his professional boxing career.
“I took three months off last year,” he said.
“Dealing with a defeat is almost like dealing with a death or something, but I’ve been fighting the best and it’s a win, win [situation] when you fight good guys. You’re always learning.”
He’s now focusing on a healthy lifestyle, training hard and has focused and committed his mindset to boxing.
“I’ve been spending a lot of time in Edmonton working with guys there who live the sport,” McLellan said, noting a recent engagement to his now finance, who lives there, has been part of the reason for his time spent away from home.
“We went over to Calgary to do some sparring with Steve Claggett and that was really good work.
“We never sparred together before because we knew we’d fight each other one day. He’s a world class fighter.”
As for Trotter (9-2-1), McLellan said he’s a strong puncher who packs a lot of power.
“He beat my brother [Roberto McLellan] before so I’m looking to avenge the family name,” he said. “He’s 9-2 but has never gone the distance, win or lose, so I’m looking to get him a few rounds in, hopefully.”
Anyone interested in checking out the fight card, or anyone who will be in the Calgary area at the time, can get tickets at www.tigerkingzpro.eventbrite.com.