Boxing: McEwan's export ambition

Edinburgh boxer Craig McEwan says he's going back to Los Angeles aiming to emulate Capital legend Ken Buchanan.

McEwan, unbeaten in 19 pro fights stateside, is desperate for a title shot and wants to win the same world title belt Buchanan lifted - the WBC.

He said: "I am undefeated in 19 bouts, yet still no title fight while two of my former Edinburgh amateur contemporaries - Alex Arthur and Paul Appleby - had title fights after around ten bouts.

"But, realistically, that's a reflection of the much tougher American boxing scene that I want to make my mark in.

"However, my main aim is to improve my No.?18 rating with the World Boxing Council, whose green belt is the one I've set my sights on because that's the belt that my Edinburgh boxing idol, Ken Buchanan, won.

"Consequently, I am looking forward to my next bout on December 11 at the Mandalay Bay Casino on the undercard of world champion Amir Khan's next title defence.

"I don't know yet who I will be boxing but Oscar De La Hoya has promised me that if I hit 20 wins then he will look at me fighting for a world title in 2011."

McEwan, a lightweight from Wester Hailes, is impatient to progress his career but he has no doubts he made the correct decision in leaving Scotland for the city of angels. "Sure, I had Scottish and British managers and promoters trying to sign me up to stay and box in Britain. But I have absolutely no regrets about going to LA where I am trained, managed and promoted by modern ring legends like Freddie Roach and Oscar De La Hoya at the Wildcard gym.

"Would I have had the chance to spar and rub shoulders with international stars like Manny Pacquiao, Winky Wright or Bernard Hopkins had I stayed in Scotland? I think not.

"Once I win a world title then I would want to defend in Scotland too. But first, let's get that December 11 win under my belt "