BOXING is generally perceived by the uninitiated as a sport lacking compassion. But Steph McAuslan has given the lie to widely held belief that those who participate in the noble art are a cold-hearted bunch.
The Glasgow lightweight, from Springburn, makes no bones about his intention to inflict pain on Jamie Quinn, of Stockport, in an effort to launch his professional career with a win at Bellahouston Leisure Centre on Friday evening.
But McAuslan, 28, also has a softer side, as witnessed by his desire to help others less fortune.
He will not receive a penny for his efforts after choosing to donate his four-figure purse to the Anthony Nolan UK Blood Cancer Charity.
McAuslan, who has been working on behalf of the children’s charity for some time by putting on boxing shows, does not only raise much-needed cash. He is also a registered bone marrow donor after being encouraged by his mother to become involved while still a teenager.
He revealed: “I first hooked up with the fund when I was 18 or 19, and after having my bloods checked, I went on the register.
“Then, in 2012 I was found to be a match for a youngster. However, a relative of the child was found to be more suitable.
“But a good pal of mine lost his grandson to leukaemia and I have continued to try to raise funds. In fact, we’ll be handing over a sizeable sum of money next month from various events we have held this year.
“It’s a very worthwhile cause and we are planning more shows next year. I am also going to encourage some of the boys I have helped train to join the bone marrow register as they are ideal candidates to help change a child’s life, given their level of fitness and the fact that they undergo regular medical checks.”
Businessman McAuslan, who runs his own company, the M1 Cleaning Group, also helped raise £10,000 to build a boxing school in impoverished Haiti.
But after a year out of the ring, the ex-Scottish title-holder is itching to return to action on this weekend’s bill being promoted by former champion Willie Limond, a close friend who has worked behind the scenes to support McAuslan’s fund-raising efforts.
He added: “I had 16 fights as an amateur and won 14 of them, but I chucked boxing for a time due to an injury. I was left with some scarring following ear canal treatment but I have since been given the all-clear.”
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