Lee McGregor admits he is inspired by Naoya Inoue in his bid to become world champion after watching the ‘Monster’ deliver a bantamweight masterclass.
Japanese fighter Inoue brutally stopped Emmanuel Rodriguez inside two rounds in Glasgow last month to become both WBA and IBF champion.
Commonwealth bantamweight belt holder McGregor also earned a points victory over Brett Fidoe at the SSE Hydro on the same night, with Josh Taylor getting his hands on the IBF super lightweight belt on the main event.
Edinburgh-born McGregor returns to the ring to defend his title against compatriot Scott Allan at the Emirates Arena in Glasgow this Saturday but admits Inoue left a lasting impression.
He said: “It was good to see him up close, he is a special, special talent and it was a privilege to be at ringside watching him.
“It was over really quickly, he’s a ferocious puncher.
“That whets your appetite, Inoue is a different bracket from everyone else, he is a special fighter and one off.
“It was good to see, it’s a bonus that he’s my weight. I want to get to world level but I believe Inoue is above that world level as well.”
McGregor’s bout against Fidoe ended a seven-month absence from the ring and the 22-year-old is now desperate to accelerate his career.
He added: “It was good to get back in recently, I needed to be back in the ring. I hadn’t fought since October before that and that was the right fight at the right time.
“I’ll be firing on all cylinders, the cobwebs are away so I’m ready to go.
“I want to be busy and active, I’ve got MTK backing and advising me.
“I’m going to be fighting regularly and I’m going to get to the top very quickly with the amount of fights I’m going to be having.”
