McGuinness, 20, has been training with Chris Johnson for the past year-and-a-half at Johnson’s Mississauga-based Fighting Alliance gym.
“I wanted to step up the coaching level,” said McGuinness of working with the former Olympic medalist who rose to national fame as the trainer of IBF junior featherweight world champ Steve Molitor. “It’s real good. He’s a good motivational speaker, and he’s added a lot of power to my punches. He’s turned me into a pro boxer.”
McGuinness, whose opponent Saturday has yet to be confirmed, won the Junior Open Nationals at 64-kilograms in 2006, and had an impressive amateur record of an estimated 60 wins in 75 bouts. Still, he and Johnson felt it was time to join the paying ranks of the sport.
“The amateur game isn’t for me,” said McGuinness, explaining that his boxing style is better suited for pro fighting.
“He’s ready,” agreed Johnson. “He’s been doing it for a while. He’s sparred with Molitor. He’s a tough kid, and he’s smart – he’s a good thinker (in the ring).”
Johnson will have more time to work with his young welterweight after his widely publicized split last month from the Molitor camp. He’s looking forward to molding his new pro into a future champion as well.
“He’s a great kid (to work with),” said Johnson, who’s known for being a taskmaster as a trainer. “He’ll do everything I say.”
McGuinness has signed with Hennessey Canada Promotions, who also have his stablemate, Andrew Kooner, under contract.
McGuinness was set to fight last month in England, but the match fell through. That might have been destiny at play, since the boxer decided to use a different family name as a pro.
“My last name is Cotton, but McGuinness was (the last name of) my great uncle,” he explained. “He was an amateur boxer in Ireland, and he moved over here and fought out of Cabbagetown gym in Toronto, so we’re going to go with that. It’s kind of a stage name.”
