REECE MCFADDEN admits that such is his obsession with winning boxing gold at next month’s Commonwealth Games, he even dreams standing on the top step of the podium.
But he has, he admits, had a few nightmares about losing too. It is thoughts of coming out on top that dominate the 22-year-old from Motherwell’s every waking thought though and he has no doubt that he has the ability to fulfil his goal out in Gold Coast, with the Opening Ceremony of the Games now less than four weeks away.
“I’m so dedicated to getting that gold medal - I’m obsessed with it, to be honest,” the -52kg fighter said.
“I think about it every day - that’s what drives me on. I’m constantly thinking about getting my hands lifted in the final. I have dreams about winning and nightmares about losing - it’s crazy how much it’s in my head. It’s dominating my life, especially now the Games are just around the corner.”
McFadden knows what it takes to get his hands on Commonwealth Games silverware. At Glasgow 2014, the then 19-year-old won an impressive bronze medal, defeating the world number one Andrew Selby on his way to the semi-finals.
Four years on and having won the British title in the intervening period, McFadden is a more mature fighter but as someone who has been tipped for gold by a number of those in the know, he has considerably more pressure upon his shoulders this time around.
He remains utterly unfazed by the increased expectations though. “In Glasgow, I was the underdog but that’s definitely not the case this time around,” he said.
“But I feel good having that pressure on me. I’ve always been good with handling nerves - I can turn them into confidence so having higher expectations on me doesn’t bother me. I’m just so excited to get in there and give it my best. Four years ago, ahead of Glasgow, I was in a wee bubble and I didn’t realise how big a deal the Commonwealth Games are. This time, I’ve got a lot more pressure on me but I’m feeling good about that.”
McFadden is a Forgewood Boxing Club fighter but has also been working with former Commonwealth Games gold medallist and former world champion Alex Arthur in the build-up to Gold Coast.
Arthur is just one of a number of boxers who made their mark at the Commonwealth Games before going on to bigger and better things in the pro ranks and with Arthur having been there and done it at all levels of boxing, McFadden admits that having the advice of the Edinburgh man on tap is a huge bonus. “I’m good pals with Alex and it’s really helpful getting advice from him,” he said.
“He’s an inspiration and it’s great being in the same gym as him. With him winning Commonwealth gold, I’d definitely like to follow in his footsteps. My training has been going really well so I’ll be bomb-proof fit for the start of the Games.”
McFadden comes across as a supremely confident individual, but he has, he admits, not always been like that. Boxing has brought him medals but it has, he reveals, brought him much more than that, with his personality being entirely transformed throughout his time in the sport. “Boxing has done so much for me,” he said.
“ I used to have a really bad temper but since I got into boxing, I don’t have a temper at all anymore. And I used to be really shy but now, I could be more different. When I was a kid, I wouldn’t speak to anyone but now, I’ll speak to everyone and anyone. Boxing has worked wonders for me.”
2018 could be quite a year for McFadden. Not long after returning from Australia, he will marry his long-term girlfriend and he admits that going to his wedding as a gold medallist would be a dream come true. “I’ve been with Sammy for about seven years now so she’s well used to watching me box,” he said.
“She used to get so nervous but she absolutely loves boxing now. So if I can win gold and then get married, that really would make it the perfect year.”
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