THE American dream is on hold for Stephen Newns Jr - for the time being at least.
After training camps with David Haye in Las Vegas and talk of a permanent move Stateside, it is the rather less glitzy surrounds of the Ravenscraig Regional Sports Facility near Motherwell that will this evening provide the setting for the Lanarkshire fighter’s long-awaited professional debut.
It has been a moment several months in the making for the 26-year-old whose last amateur contest came back in November 2022.
Newns joined the paid ranks last year when he was signed to be co-managed by Jerry Casarez and Jamel Herring, and trained by Wayne McCullough, the latter duo both former world champions.
If there was an element of the surreal to all of that, then the two-time Commonwealth Games athlete was happy to embrace it.
A planned debut in October, however, fell through at short notice, with the Cleland super-welterweight subsequently switching tracks to sign on with Maree Boxing as his new management team.
He has been training locally with his dad for his appearance on tonight’s St Andrew's Sporting Club show but hasn’t closed the door on returning to the States when the time is right.
“Obviously things didn’t unfold the way I was hoping they would,” he admits. “What happened last year was frustrating, things out of my hands. I was ready to go and had put all the work in. I was primed to start professional boxing and that then didn’t happen through no fault of my own.
"But I’ve jumped through all the hoops. I’ve persevered. It’s been mentally frustrating to be honest, although I’ve been really supported well by my family and everyone else. It’s now all looking good. And making my debut in Lanarkshire as a Lanarkshire boy is a nice way to finally do it.
"I know it was unusual me going to America and then coming back and the fight not happening. My livelihood was stripped of me at that time but I had to keep the faith and play with the hand that I’d been dealt. It would have been easy to have given up and just gone and got another job but I know I’ve got the potential to enjoy a lot of success in boxing which is why I’ve stuck at it.
“I believe America will happen for me. I managed to get out there before and made a good impression and I’ve still got intentions to go back. That door will open for me soon.”
And could there be a reunion at some point with Herring? A pause.
“Perhaps. For me to go ahead and do what I’m doing now was mutually agreed on. There are no hard feelings at all. I’ve taken the path that my gut feeling took me to. I’ve signed with Kevin Maree who has welcomed me with open arms and works with a lot of other good fighters. I know I can achieve great things too."
Perhaps unsurprisingly Newns – who also managed to find the time to complete a Masters degree in Sports Coaching last year – is reluctant to look too far ahead given the numerous bumps in the road he has endured to this point.
He is eager to see how he fares as a professional but believes he is as prepared as he can be to make that adjustment and step up.
“I feel like I’ve still got a lot of years ahead of me,” he adds. “My amateur pedigree will stand me in good stead. Since I last boxed I’ve matured physically and mentally as I’ve made the transition into pro boxing.
“I don’t think it will take as long as other amateurs typically to adjust as I’ve stayed switched on. I’ve watched lots of other fights to help me prepare, how guys set traps and build towards a finish as you’ve got longer than in the amateurs to deal with what’s in front of you.
“But I’m feeling good and confident. I’m sure this fight will be the start of a smooth and long pro career for me.”
Tragedy also had a role to play in Newns’ debut being delayed. The former Scottish amateur champion had been enlisted to join the undercard of Willie Limond’s contest with Joseph Laws before Limond’s untimely death that shook Scottish boxing.
“My dad and I knew Willie for years just from having been involved in the boxing community in Scotland,” reveals Newns. “I watched a lot of his fights growing up and I know his boys too, especially Jake from being in the Scotland team. Willie also came in and coached us too and he was a cracking guy, always a brilliant laugh.
“But he could also screw the nut when needed and he had a ton of boxing knowledge that he always tried to pass on. It’s tragic what’s happened but I’m sure his boys will go on and create their own legacy and do their dad proud.”
