JOHN THAIN has been on quite a rollercoaster over the past year.
The boxer has had to cope with having a deal which would have seen him become a star in his mother’s native land of the Philippines snatched away from him and as a result, seriously considered giving up the sport he loves and has dedicated so much of his life to.
Thain turned professional in 2010 and has fought for the British title in the past so when the offer from the Philippines came up, it seemed like this was going to be his big break. A four-fight deal was on the table which would not only have made him considerable money, it would also have seen him make a real name for himself in his mother’s homeland and the country which produced Manny Pacquiao, one of the greatest boxers in the sport.
“A promoter got in touch, from the Philippines. They wanted to build a star. And as someone who was Scottish-Filipino, I could be very marketable,” the 32-year-old said.
"It sounded great.”
But as so often happens in boxing, the promises did not come to fruition and the deal fell through.
It was a tough time for the Edinburgh fighter, who had build up considerable debts ahead of what he thought was the chance of a lifetime and there were spells, he admitted, when he seriously considered hanging up his gloves for good.
But having learned a few valuable lessons, plus the support from his family, as well as retaining a love for the sport he had been immersed in for most of his life, meant there was something in him that drove him to give things another go. It has not been an easy journey though.
“It taught me a lot,” Thain said of last year.
“I absolutely had thoughts of chucking it. I’d be sitting thinking 'what am I doing?' But boxing is still my passion.
"Winning is the thing that keeps you going, that’s the part of it I love whereas the business side of it, that’s the hard part of it. That side of it can make you feel like you aren’t worth much.”
So, after eighteen months out of the ring, Thain returns to action this evening and knows this is his chance to show everyone that he’s back.
Tonight in Belfast, Thain will take on the highly-rated Northern Irishman, Lewis Crocker, in a fight that the welterweight hopes will put him back on the road to fighting for titles.
Crocker is undefeated while Thain’s record is 17 wins and four losses but the Scot is confident his experience will tell.
And with the Edinburgh man feeling happier than he ever has in boxing terms, he admits he cannot wait to take to the ring.
“Part of the reason this is the happiest I’ve felt is because I’m doing this for myself now,” he said.
“It’s a long time since I boxed so this is an exciting opportunity.
“This fight is to show that I’m back. I’m starting with a clean slate and I’m really looking forward to getting back into the ring.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here